Teacher Akoto teaching the pupils during the occasionÂ
MICROSOFT Corporation GHANA Limited has handed over an ultramodern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory to the Betenase District Assembly Junior High School (JHS) in the Sekyedumase municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The lab, which contains 27 brand new Dell laptops, one projector, 27 tables and chairs and three years’ 3G internet connectivity, is in fulfillment of Microsoft’s commitment to support teachers, especially those in deprived communities, to be abreast of digital transformation.
Aside the laboratory, the company provided 130 school uniforms and sets of mathematical instruments to the pupils
The gesture follows media reports earlier in March this year about a teacher from the Betenase D/A JHS – Richard Appiah Akoto – who drew a diagram of Microsoft Word on a blackboard using pieces of multicolored chalk, to teach the pupils ICT lesson.
Images of the drawing, taken by a supposed friend of Mr Akoto, were posted on social media and attracted a lot of tweets. This apparently attracted the attention of Microsoft and the international media, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
As a result, Microsoft offered to help the teacher with a computer and access to free professional development resources as well as provide an ICT facility for the school.
Commercial Manager of Microsoft Corporation Ghana Limited, Akuoko Asante, addressing the gathering during the donation, said Microsoft would continue to support ICT education.
He explained that the company had recognised the important role technology can play in transforming societies and helping students to further their education.
In an interview with the media on the sidelines of the handing over ceremony, Mr. Akoto urged other ICT teachers across the country to adopt innovative ways of teaching their students.
Meanwhile, Director of Ghana Education Service (GES) for the Ejura Sekyedumasi municipality, Martha Owusu Agyemang, has commended Microsoft for the support.
BY Melvin Tarlue