AMA COLLABORATES WITH IBM TO PROVIDE ICT EDUCATION.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has revealed that in collaboration with International Business Machines (IBM), a U.S. based computer manufacturing company, pupils in kindergarten in public basic schools within the Metropolis would be introduced to computer technology through the introduction of instructional educational materials for their level.

This was said when the Assembly marked “my first day at school” by visiting some selected basic schools within the metropolis. The team led by the Metro Chief Executive included the Presiding Member, Metro Coordinating Director, Metro Budget Officer, Metro Director Education and other officials of the AMA.According to the Metro Chief Executive 

Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije when this technology is introduced, it would broaden minds of the pupils which will enable them learn better to have a brighter future. He said government is committed to ensure that every child within Accra Metropolis is fully educated.

The schools visited included the Kokomlemle 3 Primary, Anumle Primary, Alogboshie Primary and La- Bawulashie Presby Primary.

He said government is also committed to bringing education to the door step of the people of Ghana. With this he welcomed them to school and pledged his commitment to providing quality education for them. He therefore urged them to be punctual in school and learn hard.“Your parents have done their part by bringing you to school, it is up to you to fulfill your task by learning hard to become responsible citizens”, he added.He also advised them to respect their teachers as and do all assignments when given on time.                                                                                                         The team also presented the pupils with gifts which included books, colour pencils, crayons and colour tablets for counting and identification of shapes to make their first day at school a memorable one.

At Alogboshie primary school, the teachers cataloged problems being faced by the school. The Presiding member of the Assembly, Hon. Desmond Addo Binney assured them that their problems will be solved soon.

4 Millennium City schools ready to take-off in September

4 Millennium City schools ready to take-off in September

The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije has revealed that four state-of-the-art completed Millennium City Schools are ready for commissioning.

This came to light when he was accompanied by the Greater Accra Regional Minister Mr. Julius Debrah and some staff of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to inspect the completed facilities.

The schools, according to the Accra Mayor, was completed at a cost of 1.3 million Ghana Cedis each and            are ready to be used by pupils next academic year which begins in September, 2013.

The schools completed include Zamrama Line, Saleria, Abavana, and Okpoti   and were funded by the AMA , the USAID and the Chinese government respectively. Each structure contains 36 toilet facilities, library, staff common room, computer laboratory, science laboratory, head teacher’s office, a generator and spacious classrooms with 40 pupils sitting capacity in each class.

Speaking to journalists, Dr. Vanderpuije who was passionate about improving and enhancing education in the Metropolis, reiterated government’s commitment to quality education and hence the efforts at developing educational infrastructure through the country.

“I must be sincere to you that all the facilities including computers, science laboratory equipment, furniture, library books and other teaching aides are all ready for the next academic year to begin,” he said.

He said, the new schools are among the 100 Millennium City Schools expected to be constructed within the Accra Metropolis. He explained that the new blocks would accommodate the over 89,000 pupils who were accommodated in the 500 emergency temporary classrooms in 53 schools.

He disclosed that the USAID granted Ghana $2.3m for construction of basic school complexes in Accra, and Plan Ghana initiated $11.2m project to support education in the country.

For his part, an obviously elated Hon.Julius Debrah said the Mayor’s efforts and the decision to abolish the shift system was laudable and expressed the hope that under the project, all the schools would be provided with modern computer labs and other learning facilities. He commended the Accra Metropolitan Assembly for its foresight and their ability to think outside box.

Hon. Debrah believes that the idea and the good initiatives of the Mayor would need to be replicated by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives throughout the country to enhance quality education.

The Mayor expressed gratitude to the government, USAID and the Chinese government for their support and expressed optimism that the quality of education in the metropolis would be enhanced.

He noted that the AMA has put modalities in place to upgrade the knowledge of teaching and non-teaching staff through comprehensive training in the various syllabi to prepare them adequately enough for the Millennium city schools establishment.