Accra, Sept. 12, GNA - The Basic School Computerisation Project has been launched in Accra on Monday, to create the platform to enhance skills of pupils in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

It was launched by the Ministry of Education in partnership with rlg Communications, which forms part of the e-school policy of the Ministry that involves the use of ICT in teaching and learning at the basic education level.

The project is on the theme: “ICT as a Tool for Development at the Basic Level Education”.

Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Minister of Education, said more than 60,000 computers were being given to schools with the expectation that by the end of 2012 most basic schools in the country had access to ICT.

She explained that to avoid the situation where the computers would remain on the shelves without being used, the Ministry and rlg communications had already started training teachers who would further teach the pupils about computer usage.

“There is an agreement with the management of rlg to provide after sales services to users of the products.”

Mrs Mould-Iddrisu expressed appreciation that the computers were assembled in Ghana by rlg for use by Ghanaians and particularly teachers and students, saying, “Equipping teachers and children with the complexities of ICT were the surest ways to expose children to the larger world.

“ICTs excite and stimulate their minds and hopefully this will drive them to compete with young minds from elsewhere”.

Mrs Mould-Iddrisu announced that the Ministry was collaborating with the Ministry of Energy to extend electricity to deprived schools that had no electricity supply to enable them have access and use their computers, under the project which would be extended to senior high and technical schools.

Mr Roland Agambire, Chief Executive Officer of rlg Communications, said the company was happy for the opportunity to partner the Ministry to undertake such a laudable project to help pupils and teachers for effective teaching and learning.

He said: “I would be extremely excited to see you make good use of this gesture for your own personal development and subsequently the development of those you are training to become future leaders. rlg will always be available for any assistance in this regard”.

Mr Agambire said rlg Communications would spend about 30 million Ghana cedis for the project, and most of the computers were still being assembled and would be ready within the next four months for distribution.

He announced that rlg Communications had planned to donate free laptop computers to all offices at the Osu Castle.

The company would also offer discounted rates on their computers to all Ministers of State as well as offer credit and hire purchase scheme to teachers, nurses, doctors and employees of recognised institutions.