Lecturers at the various teacher training colleges have been taken through a digital skills training and capacity building exercise at the Skills 4 Success programme organized by the British Council in collaboration with the Wikimedia Foundation, and Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.

The three-day programme aims at providing tutors from colleges of education and universities, as well as student teachers with the knowledge and skills to develop improved digital literacy, and factual writing skills to make learning very simple.

Speaking at the programme, the Regional Manager for Partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa at Wikimedia Foundation, Rudolf Ampofo explained that the world of education is evolving with new and emerging technologies.

He advised policy makers and private sector operators to make a conscious effort to ensure that teachers are equipped with the right digital skills.

He further added that with the right skills and resources, teaching and learning can be improved.

“When you look at recent happenings in the world one, the digital world has played a fundamental role in bridging the gap where millions across the world couldn’t have physical access and education was not left out.  So it has become necessary to work towards a digital future now” he said.

The Regional Support Manager for schools at the British Council, Shungai Ziki, expressed excitement with the progress of the project. She stated that collaborative efforts from the colleges of education, the organisers and supervisory bodies in developing the framework for the materials have been fruitful.

“What we have done is not only to do the training, but we also developed the materials together. With inputs and feedback from all stakeholders, to make sure that we have content will be beneficial for Ghanaians, “she said.

Speaking on the importance of developing the digital capacity of teacher trainees, Dr. Samuel Kissi Nkansah, a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast said, stated that the programme will equip teachers with the right digital skills to impact students.

“Looking at the new curriculum, it makes provision for the inclusion of ICT and so for us, this training will equip teacher trainees with the right skills to make teaching and learning simple” 

Participants at the programme also described the session as timely and important because the models discussed will facilitate the teaching and learning process. They also called for support for resources like computers and internet services.

Skills 4 success Africa is a teacher training programme which will be delivered in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

It aims at providing student teachers with the knowledge and skills to develop improved digital literacy and factual writing skills in young learners.