News
‘Govt should be cautious about re-opening of schools’
An educationist is appealing to the government to deal cautiously with the issue of re-opening schools in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic.
This was necessary because the issue at stake was a serious one which must be handled with maximum care to prevent the disease from escalating further in the country.
The educationist who pleaded anonymity in an interview with The Spectator said having considered the rate at which the infection was spreading , the authorities should make room for the COVID-19 positive figures to subside before considering re-opening the schools.
According to her, it was unfortunate that some of their colleagues were pressing hard for re-opening of schools with no regards to the serious health implications at stake, especially when it came to dealing with large number of children.
She was of the view that since the number of COVID-19 cases had increased over a relatively short period, there was the possibility of encouraging the further spread of the disease in schools, hence the need to be careful not to put the children at risk.
The educationist said though students in tertiary institutions could be careful and conduct themselves well, it would be extremely difficult for teachers who handled nursery and kindergarten schools to take absolute control of the children.
She said at their age, the children hugged and held hands of each other as a sign of expressing love.
The educationist intimated that some parents said they would not allow their children to go to school should the government re-open schools at a time when even adults struggled to escape being infected.
She described the situation as a dicey one since teachers could also infect the pupils and vice versa.
On her part, the Headmistress of St Maurice Roman Catholic A & B Junior High School, La, Mrs Evelyn Ampomah- Nkansah said in as much as stakeholders in education were eager for the re-opening of schools, the right structures must be put in place to facilitate a swift academic work and prevent the students from contracting the virus.
She intimated that something must be done about class sizes because a class with an average of 45 students would not be a conducive environment for social distancing.
She added that parents and guardians must monitor their children at home and prevent them from going to unacceptable sites on the internet.
By Raymond Kyekye
News
Aide Du Ciel presents over 50 laptops and projectors to selected schools in KEEA
With the world now connected as a global village through the power of computers, Aide Du Ciel, a France-based non-profit organization to wit ‘Help From Above,’ has presented over 50 laptops and projectors to some selected basic schools in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality in the Central Region.
The donation aims to enhance teaching and learning in the area, as many basic schools within the Municipality lack the necessary resources for effective ICT education.
The schools that received the donated laptops and projectors include Ntranoa M/A Basic School, Abee AME Zion School, Bronyibima M/A Basic School, Abreshia M/A Basic School, and Breman M/A Basic School, Wesley Basic School, Essaman United, Dominase Basic , Abreshia JHS and Nana Kwame Essoun.
During a media engagement, Mrs. Mary Frimpong, the founder of the organization and a Ghanaian based in France, shared the experience that motivated this generous act. She recalled visiting a basic school during one of her holidays in Ghana, where the students had no knowledge of how to use a computer.
This troubling situation inspired her to offer assistance to basic schools, particularly in Elmina and its surrounding areas, so that students could gain hands-on experience with computers.
Mrs. Frimpong emphasised that in today’s world, a student’s future could be at risk if they lack the ability to use a computer effectively.
Her goal is to ensure that every student in Elmina and its vicinity acquires comprehensive computer skills. She also urged the beneficiary schools to take proper care of the donated items, assuring them that her organization would frequently check on the condition of the laptops and projectors.
In interviews with Sompa TV’s Eric Annan, several heads of schools and teachers expressed their immense gratitude and excitement over the donation. They acknowledged that the equipment would significantly enhance teaching and learning, particularly in ICT, as the world becomes increasingly computerized.
Students from the beneficiary schools also expressed their joy and gratitude to Aide Du Ciel.
They noted that the laptops would greatly help them gain a better understanding and deeper knowledge of their ICT education.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
News
Meeting with Muslim Leaders: Muntaka calls for unity in promoting peace and security
At a crucial meeting with Muslim Religious Leaders and Zongo Chiefs at the National Mosque Conference Room in Accra, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for the Interior called on the leaders to use their authority to support the security services to ensure peace and security in their communities.
According to him, Muslim Religious Leaders and Chiefs are well respected for shaping the moral fabric in the Zongo communities and there is the need for a collaborative approach to peace-building in the country for the safety of all.
On assumption of office, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has been engaging key stakeholders such as the Regional House of Chiefs, Christian Religious Leaders, Muslim Religious Leaders and Zongo Chiefs to foster partnership in improving social cohesion, addressing security concerns and promoting peace and security in the country.
The Minister expressed concern over security issues including vigilantism, land guard activities and chieftaincy issues in some parts of the country which have led to the imposition of curfews in those areas.
He urged the good people of Ghana to use appropriate means to resolve any challenges they may confront otherwise the peace of this country could be jeopardized and it will affect all.
The Minister urged them to identify community-based initiatives that promote peace and social cohesion, such as interfaith dialogue, community outreach programs and cultural events.
He also urged the development of a collaborative programme to address the root cause of conflict and establish open channels of communication between communities, the Ministry of the Interior and other stakeholders.
He also noted the need to identify community needs and develop targeted interventions that promote social and economic development.
On recent issues about drug abuse by some youth in the country which poses a significant threat to the nation’s well-being, undermining the very fabric of the society, the Minister condemned the act and called on the religious leaders and Zongo Chiefs to help the government by educating the public and promote peace and social cohesion to reverse the negative trend for the good of Ghana.
Muntaka Mubarak thanked them for honouring his invitation and encouraged them to build systems and mechanisms that would turn the Zongo Communities into more peaceful places of settlement.
The Ameer of Ahmadiya Mission Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih appealed to the Minister and other key stakeholders to help improve education in the Zongo Communities, as the lack of schools accounts for the challenges in those areas.
The Muslim Leaders and the Zongo Chiefs commended the Minister for the meeting. They prayed for him and wished him Allah’s guidance and protection.
