We want full rollout of tablet distribution in SHSs – Minority to MoE
The Minority Caucus in Parliament is demanding from the Ministry of Education a comprehensive roadmap for the distribution of tablets to Senior High Schools (SHSs) under the Ghana Smart Schools Project (GSSP).
According to the minority, a rollout for the distribution of the tablets will ensure an effective monitoring of the distribution to ensure no school or student is left out of the project.
The deputy ranking member of the Education Committee in Parliament, Dr Clement Apaak, revealed this when he joined members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to pay a visit to KA Technologies Ltd in Accra, the company in charge of the tablets to be distributed to students in second-cycle schools.
It would be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during the launch of the Ghana Smart Schools Project in Accra on Monday, March 25, 2024, disclosed that the tablets will serve 1.3 million Senior High School (SHS) students nationwide.
READ ALSO: 1.3m SHS Students To Receive Tablets Under Smart Schools Project – Akufo-Addo
The committee, led by its Chairman and Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa, Kwabena Amankwah Asiamah and Ranking Member and MP for Akatsi North, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, toured the company’s production lines, aftercare and call centres and interacted with management who briefed them on the company’s operations.
The company’s General Manager, Mr Lawrence Hornuvo, reiterated to the committee the company’s commitment to producing high-quality products and services for its clients, including the government, under the digitalization agenda.
“We pride ourselves in delivering robust, quality products and services in a timely manner and so far, this has not been compromised,” Mr. Hornuvo told the committee.
The Chairman of the Committee commended the company for impressive work so far and urged them to work harder to ensure every student gains access to a Tablet to facilitate their learning.
“Actually, coming here has demystified our thoughts on how these Tablets were going to get to the students; we have the full understanding of what is on the tablet, its usage and the distribution pattern, quantities to be distributed,” he said.
He expressed the hope that the government will ensure prompt payments to enable the company to fulfil its side of the contract.
“We have also learnt that the government is not paying for everything before they produce, they are ahead of the government and we would like to encourage the government to quicken up payments to them to fast-track the process of making sure all students in the country have their tablets,” he added.
Dr. Clement Apaak, who is also the Member of Parliament for Builsa South, expressed pleasure at the outcome of their visit.
“So far what we have seen is reassuring. We got a detailed briefing about the tablets, their functionality, and their capacity, and we were taken to the unit where the tablets were being assembled. What is also exciting is that this is also a local company which also means that the jobs to be created are going to benefit Ghanaians and the monies being paid as well as the tablets are all going to benefit Ghanaians”.
The minority also assured that it will play its watchdog role effectively to ensure no student or school is left out of the Smart Schools Project
“We have been told that the distribution will be done in phases. We want a full rollout, and that is what we are looking for,” he added.