UNESCO donates computers to Teacher Education Division

Accra, Feb. 6, GNA - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Friday presented computers worth 18,600 US dollars to the Teachers' Education Division of the Ghana Education Service.

Mr Victor Mante, Director of Teacher Education Division, said UNESCO introduced a project, Teacher Training Initiative for sub-Saharan Africa, to respond to the acute shortage of qualified teachers in those countries.

He said the Division had introduced Information and Communication Technology into the teacher training college curriculum adding that the teacher must be computer literate to deliver. Mr Mante said in order provide good quality teachers for all levels of the basic education system, the Division had put in place various approaches such as distance learning and sandwich programmes. He expressed the hope that the shortfall of qualified teachers in rural schools would be solved by 2015 when about 95 per cent of basic education school teachers would have upgraded their professional qualifications to the diploma level. Mr Mante said the Division had organized workshops for tutors of teacher training colleges as well as practicing teachers with the aim to updating their professional skills.

Mrs Elizabeth Moundo, Director and Representative of UNESCO, Accra Cluster Office, said UNESCO's objective was to review teacher education and education policies to relate to national development priorities. She said UNESCO's objective was also to provide quality teacher education training at all educational levels.