Former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has highlighted several key initiatives undertaken by the previous government to improve education in Ghana, confidently asserting that every teacher in the country was provided with a laptop before his tenure ended.
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, February 14, Dr. Adutwum emphasized the government’s commitment to equipping educators with the necessary tools to enhance teaching and learning.
“Every teacher received their laptop before we left office. You can verify this with the teacher unions, and they will confirm that every teacher got one,” he stated, underscoring the widespread distribution of laptops to educators across the country.
Dr. Adutwum also shed light on efforts to provide Senior High School (SHS) students, particularly first-year students, with tablets. He explained that the distribution of tablets, preloaded with e-books, was a major priority for the government.
“All first-year students were prioritized because they use e-books, which were downloaded onto the tablets. This initiative began six months before we left office,” he said.
He further revealed that by the time he left office, between 200 and 300 schools had already received their tablets, adding that the distribution process is ongoing.
Dr. Adutwum also discussed the integration of a new curriculum, made possible in part by funding from the Mastercard Foundation. This funding was used to develop digital textbooks, marking a significant step toward modernizing Ghana’s education system.
He stressed the importance of tablets in accessing these e-books, warning that without them, students could face challenges in utilizing the digital resources effectively.
“E-books are essential for the new curriculum, and tablets are the gateway to accessing this content. Without them, students may struggle to benefit from these resources,” he explained.
In addition to the distribution of laptops and tablets, Dr. Adutwum highlighted the introduction of innovative technology in teacher training and assessment. Teachers are being trained to use AI-driven assessment portals, which enable instant grading of student essays.
“Teachers are being trained to use AI assessment portals. When a student writes an essay, it can be graded instantly using AI,” he said.
This integration of artificial intelligence allows teachers to provide immediate feedback to students, enhancing the learning experience.
“Assessment is instant, and teachers can receive feedback themselves while also giving feedback to students through the assessment portal,” he added.
