Blackboards and chalks give way to white boards and markers in schools

The age-old blackboard and chalk which is used in teaching pupils and students in most schools in Ghana are giving way to the use of white boards and markers in the teaching and learning fields.

Research has proved that the chalk produces lots of dust particles which trigger asthmatic attacks in both teachers and pupils alike. The particles also cause allergic conditions among pupils and made teachers clothes dirty.

To help address this situation, Wisewater Foundation, a local non-governmental organization (NGO) has collaborated with corporate organizations like the Social Security and National insurance Trust, Shell Ghana, Bank of Ghana, Allied Oil Company Limited and UT Life Insurance Company Limited to donate over 250 pieces of white boards to 40 schools within the Greater Accra Region.

The white boards are to replace the blackboards.

Wisewater Foundation on Wednesday collaborated with Anointed Electricals Services Company Limited to present some white boards and markers to the Odorkor Salleria Cluster of Schools within the Ablekuma North Sub-Metropolitan Education, Ghana Education Service (GES), Accra.

Mr Emmanuel Amarquaye, Executive Chairman, Wisewater Foundation, said the distribution of the white boards was motivated by the plight of teachers to the harmful effect of the chalk dust to their health and respiratory effect when they inhaled the dust.

He said the white boards were among other requests made by the teachers of the schools after discussions was held with them over their needs.

He expressed the hope that more funds would be raised to help the school with more of such teaching aids.

Mr Albert Arthur, General Manger, Anointed Electrical Services Limited, said the gesture was in fulfillment of their corporate obligation towards the community in which they were operating.

He urged the pupils to learn hard throughout their education and come out as good products to add their quota to national development.

Mrs Bertha Amedoh, Officer-in-charge of the Ablekuma Sub-metropolitan of Education, lauded the gesture and stressed the need to double efforts at replacing all black boards with the white boards to ensure a safe teaching environment for both teachers and pupils.

Mrs Esther Arhin, Headmistress, Odorkor Seven, KG/Primary and Junior High School, received the boards on behalf of the other schools.

Madam Joyce Allotey, Odorkor Two Primary and KG School, one of the recipient schools, called on the authorities and the member of parliament for the area to provide security lights for the school and help fence the school compound.