We cannot learn ICT with stones – NUGS calls on govt to invest in IT education

President of the National Union of Ghanaian Students (NUGS), Isaac Jay Hyde has intimated that for students to make a meaningful contribution to the development of Information Technology in the country, government must make the right investments to set students up with the right skills and level of exposure.

His statement was in a reaction to a call by the President of the Association of Ghanaian Industries, Dr Yaw Adu Gyamfi on the youth of Ghana to contribute to the growth of industries through IT development.

Taking his turn as a speaker during the virtual forum organised by the office of the Senior Minister on the impact of COVID-19 and the Ghana Beyond Aid policy, the NUGS president said the leadership of the country should be ready to make the right investments in order for the country to have the full benefit of ICT.

According to him, it is sad enough that in some parts of the country, teachers have had to make use of chalkboard illustrations during what is supposed to be a hands-on practical ICT lesson.

“I will plead with the government that we cannot learn ICT with stones, because when we learn ICT with stones we well end up at the quarries. It is interesting to note that we have seen videos circulating of teachers in this county teaching ICT with chalkboard and drawing it on whiteboard markers. That cannot give the desired result we are all expecting. If you want us to change this country, we plead with you that be ready to invest in us,” he said.

While still stating the need for the country to make investments in youth development, Mr Hyde acknowledged the leadership of NUGS for raising funds to support one thousand students during the COVID-19 lockdown which left many struggling to fulfil their daily needs.

He also called for support for NUGS intentions to venture into farming by cultivating about two thousand acres of land at Atebubu and Accra.