Include computer education in all subjects - Blay

Dr. Kofi Blay, Professor of Sociology at the Delaware University in the United States of America, on Saturday called on all educational institutions, to include computer science education in all subjects.

He noted that the advancement in computer usage and communication technology, globally, could only be matched by Ghana, if the study of computer science, is expanded to cover all subject areas in educational institutions.

Dr. Blay said these at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Saint John's Secondary School at Sekondi, under the theme: " Which way in the Information technology Era? "

He said the use of computers for research, education and scientific purposes, is expanding rapidly in several developed countries and advised that Ghana should do everything possible, to catch-up with this expansion.

Dr. Blay stressed that there is an urgent need to change the content and skills of the educational institutions to meet the growing needs of the times to enable students, to cope with challenges of the new era.

He suggested the recruitment of qualified computer science teachers, training of all teachers on the uses of the computer, introduction of interactive learning, demonstration and other modern methods in the teaching of computer science.

In an address read on his behalf, Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Minister of Education advised the students, to practice self-discipline and abide by all school rules.

He cautioned that the Ministry of Education would deal drastically with any student or group of students who engage in vandalism and immoral acts. Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi advised all Ghanaians, to support the government, to maximise the investments made in the educational sector.

The Reverend Joseph K. B. Annan, headmaster of the school said the school, which was started in 1954 with 47 students, now has a total population of 1025.

He stressed that the science laboratory, is "termite invested and outdated" and called on the Parent Teacher Association, Board of Governors, old students association and other voluntary organisations, to assist them upgrade the laboratory to enhance the teaching and learning of science.

He expressed regret that the school's dormitory, built to accommodate 300 students now houses 560 students, while only eight out of the over 100 teaching and non-teaching staff live on campus. As part of activities marking the celebrations, an endowment fund and information technology brochure of the school was launched. Forty-eight students received book and cash prizes while some teachers, past headmasters and some old students were also honoured for their contribution towards the development of school.