AMA, IBM support kindergartens with computers

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with International Business Machines (IBM), an information technology firm in the United States, has introduced a Kidsmart Programme to support early childhood education in Accra.

Kidsmart Programme is an IBM early learning technique that provides technology and professional development for pre-school education.

Dr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, made this known when he distributed 34 kidsmart computers to 34 kindergarten schools in the 11 sub-metros in Accra.

He said AMA and IBM introduced the new technology to encourage the positive attitudes necessary for life-long learning and prepare the young children to enter the digital world with full confidence.

He said the AMA was reaffirming its commitment in the use of information technology to facilitate teaching and learning at its kindergartens in Accra.

Dr Vanderpuije said the programme, which started in October, 2012, had helped children in the kindergarten to learn and explore concepts such as numeracy, literacy, music and dance, environmental studies, creativity and poetry which were main curricula at the kindergarten.

Mrs Grace Agyepong Dankyira, Accra Metropolitan Early Childhood Development Co-ordinator, expressed gratitude to the Accra Mayor and urged the teachers to renew their strong support for the programme.

She said enrolment had increased in the kindergarten since the introduction of the Kidsmart computers because every child wanted to be in school and share in the fun of using these devices to learn.

“Lateness, absenteeism and truancy among the children had also reduced to the barest minimum,” she said.

Mrs Dankyira said the technology system had instilled in the children important human moral values such as tolerance, team-work, sharing, self-expression, concentration, co-operation, patience, determination and perseverance.