Ghana's first interactive distance learning project launched

GEMS Education Solutions, in collaboration with its partners, has officially launched an interactive distance learning project christened: “Making Ghanaian Girls Great,” (MGCubed).

The innovative project, funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), aims at using cutting edge technology and multimedia content to deliver quality teaching to thousands of students in deprived schools in Ghana.

Mrs. Charlotte Pierre, Deputy Director of DFID Ghana, said DFID as the British Government’s department responsible for international development, is launching the project to help one million girls across the world to go to school and learn, adding that “Great Britain has supported education in Ghana for many years.”

She explained that the project titled “The Girls Education Challenge,” an initiative of the British Government, is supporting the MGCubed project by providing computers, projectors, solar panels and other equipment to the selected schools.

Mrs. Pierre tasked parents to educate their daughters on the risks of teenage pregnancy and encourage them to finish their education, rather than dropping out of school.

She also urged the Staff of GEMS and partner organizations to visit schools regularly and discuss the objectives of the project with district officials, community members, head teachers, teachers, students and parents.

She noted: “your role in monitoring, is vital to the success of this project and to help make decisions about whether the approach you are promoting should be extended to other schools.”

Mr Anthony Klokpah, Ada West District Chief Executive (DCE), said the development of every society depends on education; “girls should be empowered towards leadership roles.”

He said the involvement of local languages in the project will enable students acquire knowledge, and also be able to translate the acquired skills into academic work.

Mr Klokpah urged community members to support in ensuring that the project becomes successful.

Alhaji SA Rhack Nartey, Ningo- Prampram DCE, said studies have shown that some students perform poorly in his district; therefore the project will help students, in their academic performances

He explained that the project, aside raising the performance of students in Mathematics as well as the English Language, will make children more engaged after school, reduce drop-outs and help to curb truancy and teenage pregnancy.

Mr Nartey, therefore, commended GEMS Education Solutions for the initiative, and appealed to other stakeholders to do all they could to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Nana Ogyedom Tsetsewa I, Divisional Chief of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council, said children, especially girls, needed the requisite training to be able to prepare for the task ahead.

Nana Ogyedom Tsetsewa I, who is also the mediator of the Ogyedom Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre and Chairperson for the ceremony, noted that education has empowered women in the society to do more.

She advised teachers to teach students in combining the local languages with the English Language, adding that “let them pronounce the words in English.”

She also encouraged girls to develop the can-do- spirit in achieving success than always depending on men for support.

She expressed her gratitude to all stakeholders and officially launched the “Making the Ghanaian Girls Great (MGCubed) project.

The ceremony was crowned with a demonstration of an in-school lesson, which involved students from the selected schools and the facilitators of the project.

The pilot project will be delivered in six districts in Ghana: Nkwanta South, Kadjebi in the Volta Region, and Ada West, Ada East, Ningo- Prampram, Shai Osudoku in the Greater Accra Region, and currently plans to operate within 72 schools until March, 2016.