FG, Microsoft partner for tech training in schools

Accra, Ghana – 22 June 2005 – As part of its combined mission to build technology awareness for students across the country, the Ministry of Education & Sports (MOES) and Microsoft recently hosted a training workshop for 180 teachers at the University College Of Education, Winneba (UCEW).

Flying under the banner “Train-the-trainer workshops for ICT in education”, the session introduced teachers to the fundamentals of information and communication technology as a means of transferring that knowledge to students – as well as using the skills to enhance teaching methods. The teachers themselves were selected from schools, colleges and the GES Inspectorate nationwide.

“This workshop is part of a comprehensive programme known as ‘Partners in Learning’ – a Microsoft initiative run in collaboration with the government that brings technology directly into the classroom. This helps to provide a platform for the digital, intellectual and socio-economic growth of the country,” explains Reza Bardien, Education manager for Microsoft West East and Central Africa

As part of the local programme Microsoft is providing support in terms of the Office XP software used by the teachers, as well as resources that assist with capacity development. The focus is initially on training and developing the ICT skills of the teachers. Once that is completed, they can lead training and effectively enhance the experience had by their students.

The workshop was officially opened by Prof. Anamoah Mensah, vice-chancellor of UCEW.

In the opening session Rev. Emmanuel Kingsley Dadebo, the coordinator for ICT Education Programmes at the Ministry, explained that technology was becoming an increasingly important tool in the educational sector. He said that effective and strategic use of that technology could be used to improve the teacher-learner process and thereby bridge the digital and knowledge divide.

Professor Sandra Turner, a Fulbright Professor at the University College of Education, then provided insight into how the latest technologies are helping to create a new learning environment in Africa.

“Workshops such as these – and the PiL programme in general – are a crucial focus for us,” explains Bardien.

“This is not about the sporadic donation of technology or the hosting of random training sessions. We are here to create sustainable long-term models for the transformation of technology’s role in the education sector by bringing our resources, practices and programmes together in partnership with the efforts of the Federal Government.”

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