MoE asked to extend SHS/SHTS free Wi-fi coverage to classrooms

Africa Education Watch following a survey conducted on the installation of free Wi-fi in Senior High and Technical Schools (SHS/SHSTS) has proposed for the Ministry of Education extend the free Wi-Fi coverage to classrooms.

In the 2023 academic year free Wi-Fi report sighted by AcademicWeek, EduWatch said the Wi-Fi coverage when extended to classrooms of second cycle schools will ensure real-time access to the internet by teachers when teaching.

The Education Policy Research and Advocacy Organization further suggested that a performance audit must be commissioned by the Auditor-General into the free Wi-Fi programme to ascertain its full-scale efficiency and advise accordingly.

“MoE must strengthen the system for verifying the quality of service provided by Busy Internet Ghana Ltd., based on which payments are made for their service. This must include monthly reports from all user institutions on the functioning of their Wi-Fi facilities,” It stated.

Admitting the free Wi-fi facility has enhanced access to internet for academic research and administrative communication in Senior High Schools, it said Interventions to improve programme efficiency are critically required.

In a related development, Digitalisation and Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful says the government is considering the installation of free wifi in all Junior High Schools to enhance ICT, research and knowledge acquisition.

The Ablekuma West Member of Parliament in a social media post sighted by AcademicWeek.com said the installation of free wifi in all Junior High Schools will be a replica of the over 90% installed in Senior High Schools (SHSs).

Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, however, noted that it has become difficult for the central government to replicate the installation of free Wi-Fi in Junior High Schools as the Education Ministry seeks to introduce blended learning.

“The challenge now is how to replicate that in the Junior High Schools (JHSs) as the Education Ministry seeks to introduce blended learning (a mixture of virtual learning and face-to-face),” the Digitalisation Minister stated.