Category: Education

Angolan minister of Education Luísa Grilo Tuesday said that valuing of human capital, with stress to the teachers, represents the Executive’s main challenge.

Luísa Grilo acknowledged this while speaking at the opening ceremony of the sector’s First Consultative Council held in municipality of Luau, eastern Moxico province.

The minister pledged the Executive commitment to continue working toward achieving and overcoming “the great challenges of the sector”, including that of appreciation of human capital, mainly the teachers.

In addition to this challenge, Luísa Grilo also spoke of tackling the problem of educational infrastructures to cater for the children outside the education system.

In her speech, she also spoke of the need to reduce the teacher-student ratio, “urgently” eliminate precarious classrooms and overcome the quality of learning.

She also said that the quality of teaching will be implemented in the review of the curriculum policy and other components, as well as due attention to the management model of the national assessment system and other domains.

As for the meeting, the minister said that she will analyse, among others, the causes and consequences of violence in public and private schools in the country, prevention and mitigation strategies, so that students find a peaceful, familiar and supportive environment at school, where the values of good and healthy coexistence are promoted.

Luísa Grilo said the event serves to promote a reflection on the paths of human resource management, in addition to reinforcing the Executive’s idea of continuing to train staff, so that the duties of primary education teaching staff are guaranteed by qualified teachers.

In turn, the governor of Moxico, Ernesto Muangala, asked the MED for more investment in the region, especially in the construction of technical schools in the interior unicipalities.

The two-day meeting will enable the more than 200 participants to address various issues, such as the national school calendar, expansion of the programme for pre-school and early childhood education, among other matters.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Mr. Eric Sakyi Nkatiah, an educationist has declared his intention to context the Presidential Primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Mr Nkatiah who made this known in an interview with the Ghana New Agency (GNA) pledged to abide by the processes the party has put in place for the smooth conduct of the Presidential Primaries which will see party NPP making history by breaking the eight. Mr Nkatiah, is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) stated that he was motivated by his desire to contribute to decision making and the development of the nation at the highest level of leadership. ‘The decision to run the 2023 Presidential Primaries was taken after series of prayers, reflection, consultation with a number of the party grassroots with careful consideration, which was very a difficult decision to take, considering all the opportunities life and destiny had presented my way’, he stated. Mr Nkatiah, a card bearing member of the NPP was born in Sunyani in the Bono Region and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of History Education of UEW and his major research interests are in Social Justice History, particularly Women’s History. He began his academic career in 2004 as a Demonstrator at the department of history at the university of Cape Coast (UCC), became senior research assistant at the same university upon completion of a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in history before moving to UEW in 2007 as a lecturer for his bachelor’s degree, he studied English and History at UCC. He had his high school education at Saint Peter’s Senior High School at Nkwatia-Kwahu from 1989-1996 where he did both the ordinary Level and the advanced Level Examination in 1994-1996. Mr Nkatiah was involved in student activism and leadership activities, where he developed his interest in leadership activism while a student, earlier, in 2000/2001 academic year, he became chairman of the public committee of the Local Chapter of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGUS) at UCC, President of Sehwi Oseikojokrom Students Union in the western North Region from 199-2003. He served on the governing council of the UEW, the Academic Board of UEW as well as the Board of the Faculty of Social Science Education as the of Department of History and has been chairman of the board of the department of history education of UEW, a position he had held for a couple of years. He is the author of beyond the lecture hall: What university students do not hear at lectures (2015), A History of Women in politics in Ghana, 1957-1992, volume 1 (2010); among many others. ‘I am clear in my mind that my intention to contest the presidential primaries is for God and country and when given the nod, I will use my rich expertise to work with all and sundry of the party, particularly the grassroots, to break the eight for continuous development to better the lot of the entire citizenry of Ghana, he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Plan International Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organisation has equipped students of Mawuko Girls Senior High School in Ho, in the Volta region with digital literacy skills

The NGO organised a one-day intensive training for the girls to improve their digital literacy as part of activities to mark this year’s International Day of Girls In ICT, which is dubbed: ‘Digital Skills for Life,’

The capacities of the girls were built in the digital knowledge including cyber security, identifying fake information online and proper usage of the internet to avoid falling prey to cybercrimes.

Madam Maud Tsagli, Head of Information Technology at Plan International Ghana, speaking to Ghana News Agency during the programme said most girls were not interested in pursuing ICT because of the long-held notion that it was a difficult course.

She said the training was aimed to whip up interest in the girls in ICT and Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and broaden their knowledge on opportunities in the field so they would be encouraged to take up courses in ICT.

Mr Hurbert Gustav Yankson, Cyber Security Expert and Facilitator at the programme said cybercrimes were on the ascendancy in the country in every sophisticated manner.

He said comprehensive strategy was required to deal with the situation and charged the students to observe protective mechanisms when using the internet to avoid exposing themselves to criminals online.

He said the number of people using the internet in the country kept increasing and the only solution to cybercrimes was cyber security, so every citizen must endeavour to acquire knowledge in cyber security.

The Cyber Security Expert also underscored the need to step up awareness creation to sensitise the citizens on the need to adhere to cyber hygienic practices to reduce the situation.

Madam Jacqueline Asor Kumi, an ICT Lecturer at the Ho Technical University said it was important to equip the youth with the skill set they needed to thrive in this ever-changing technological world.

She said the world was rapidly revolving around ICT and the opportunities in the digital field for women and girls abound, hence all efforts must be made to provide them with the requisite skills.

Madam Kumi implored the girls to avoid learning by rot and be reminded that every career path comes with a skill set, so they must study hard to acquire the necessary skill set to qualify them for the job market.

The Lecturer urged the students to use the internet to their benefit by exploring the opportunities around them and ensure to take one step at a time, and work towards their goals with passion.

Mr Benjamin Bodza, Assistant Headmaster of Academics, thanked Plan International Ghana for choosing the school for the training and hoped for continuous collaboration between the school and Plan for the betterment of the students.

Some students who spoke to the GNA said the training has broadened their knowledge about the world of ICT and would help them in exploring opportunities in the digital field and employing maximum protection online.

The organisation donated some robotic equipment to the school to aid in their practical works, and the school authorities were asked to ensure that the equipment was properly maintained to prolong their lifespan.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Apagya Community Day Senior High School in the Adansi South District, has begun the processes to admit its first batch of students into the school.

The school, which is part of the E-Blocks community day schools constructed by the NDC administration, has remained unopened for many years due to lack of residential accommodation for both students and teachers.

However, the NPP government, through the Adansi South District assembly has constructed a state-of-the-art dormitory block for both boys and girls to help the school to be fully operational as boarding and day school.

The school has therefore begun admitting first year students and it was expected that those admitted would start classes on Monday April 24, this year.

Mr. Ebenezer Kofi Asare, District Director of Education, told the Ghana News Agency during a visit to the school that, so far, about 60 applicants had collected their prospectus to start their preparations to enroll in the school.

He said the school was going to begin with three courses – General Arts, Visual Arts and Home Economics and was expecting not less than 100 applicants to enroll.

Mr. Asare said the Ashanti Regional Directorate and his Office were collaborating to post teachers and other supporting staff to the school to ensure a smooth take-off.

He said a fence wall was also being constructed while the processes had also begun to recruit security personnel to ensure the safety and security of both students and staff of the school.

Mr. Asare said everything was being done to ensure the smooth take-off of the school to help bring quality secondary education to the doorsteps of the people in the area.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Attorney General’s Office (PGR) has reiterated the need for the inclusion of subjects on corruption in the academic curriculum in the country.

The need was reiterated by National Director for Prevention and Fight Against Corruption of the PGR, Inocência Pinto, on Tuesday in Luanda, who said that the move was intended to fight against corruption in education sector.

The PGR official was speaking at the ceremony that marked the official launch of the consultation process of draft National Strategy for Prevention and Repression of Corruption (ENAPREC).

In her capacity as coordinator of the technical sub-group, in charge of drafting the proposal, Inocência Pinto, who is also Deputy Attorney General, said the inclusion of the corruption prevention in the education system aims at curbing such practices.

According to Pinto, the consultation process, due to start this month, will last more than 30 days in all country’s provinces.

She said that the proposal aims to allow, from an early age, people to have “contact with matters related to public probity and the common good”.

In her speech, Pinto noted that the implementation of actions to combat corruption in Angola “has been bearing fruit”.

As an example, she highlighted the fact that Angola was ranked 116th in the corruption perception index, according to non-governmental organisation Transparency International, in its report published in January 2023.

Contribution of the institutions

Although the content has already received various contributions from public and private, national and foreign institutions, the coordinators deemed it necessary to conduct a nationwide public consultation process, as part of the participatory democracy principle.

This exercise is extensive to all natural and legal persons interested in sharing their knowledge for the enrichment and conclusion of the document.

The draft National Strategy for the Prevention and Repression of Corruption was prepared by a Working Group created in 2019, integrated by various public bodies.

The group is coordinated by the minister of State and Head of the Civil Affairs Office to the President of the Republic, Adão de Almeida, under the guidance of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.

The Working Group was also tasked with conducting studies and drafting of proposals and mechanisms for the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) has underscored the need for students to embrace the study of mathematics to enjoy successful science-related careers.

The Managing Director of NTIC, Mr Feyzullah Bilgin, gave the advice in Abuja at the 20th Annual National Mathematics Competition (ANMC) for Primary 5, 6 and JSS3 students.

The competition was organised by NTIC in collaboration with the National Mathematical Centre (NMC) to promote the study of the subject.

“Mathematics is the key of all the science subjects and when a person is very good at maths, the person is going to be able to think abstractly and highly.

“The study of mathematics will help the student become successful in anything, including other subjects.

“In the past in Greece where philosophers were famous and active, they had an academia and at the gate was written: ‘no one can enter if you do not know mathematics’,” he said.

Bilgin advised students of the college to study very hard, so as to “become the best of the best.”

He also advised parents to always support their wards with relevant tools to enable them realise their dreams of studying Mathematics.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NMC, Prof. Promise Mebine, described mathematics as the language of science on which “the future is built”.

The D-G, represented by Prof. Jonathan Ogidi, Head of International Linkages and Advancement at the centre, said any nation that did not prioritise mathematics would have no future.

“Mathematics is important because it is a means of clothing the future; a nation that does not honour and respect mathematics has no future,” he said.

He therefore advised parents to invest in the education of their children, so as to prepare them for a responsible future.

“If the parents know what it takes to invest in the future of their children, especially education, it is not the material things you buy for them that should be your priority.

“It should be how to let your child have knowledge that will keep and help him or her to stand on their own in the near future, when you are no more to help them,” he said.

Mebine disclosed that NMC has developed a Digital Mathematics Network which would contain JSS 1 to JSS 3 curriculum in digital form, to enable students learn mathematics on the go.

Also speaking, Mr Henry Aniobi, a mathematics olympian, encouraged students to be focused while in school.

“As a student, you should be focused on learning and put in your best in all that you do because this is the beginning of your life path.

“As a math olympian, mathematical problem solving is an art. When solving a problem, you need to think creatively. Mathematics helps you think outside the box,” he said.

Aniobi congratulated the awardees and thanked NTIC and NMC for the initiative.

Nwakuche Chidubem, a pupil from Pyramid Learning Academy, Anambra, who emerged overall best, received a cash prize of N100,000, a computer set for the school and a 100 per cent scholarship to NTIC.

Amah Chibuike from Diamond Special School, Imo, who came second, received a cash prize of N75,000, a tablet for the school and full scholarship to study at NTIC.

Also, Mofiyinoluwa Joshua of St. Saviour’s School, Lagos State, who emerged third got N50,000, a printer and full scholarship to NTIC.

In the JSS category, Chukwunwike Ezebube of NTIC came tops and was recognised with a certificate.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria