A programme to integrate Information Communication Technology (ICT) into mathematics, English and integrated science, has been launched at Saltpond with a call on students to use the Internet wisely.

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Minister of Education made the call in a speech read on her behalf by Mr Charles Aheto Tsegah, Deputy Director General of the Ghana Education Service at the launch.

She said; “as you are being given access to Internet, use it wisely to enable you to gain more knowledge by accessing subject teaching websites.”

The Minister cautioned against indulging in what she called “cyber misconduct,” that is, using the Internet to access pornographic materials, downloading movies and music, engaging in face-book and twitter with friends.

She also cautioned students against using the internet to defraud unsuspecting foreigners in an attempt to get rich quick.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang urged teachers to monitor the activities of their students whilst they are on the net.

She also called on school authorities to enact guidelines for use of students whilst accessing the internet.

The Minister commended the 134 teachers who are attending the five days training workshop while their colleagues had decided to embark on industrial strike.

“You will be equipped with the requisite knowledge to integrate the use of ICT in teaching and learning systematically to apply it professionally in your daily practice,” she said.

Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang said the distribution of free laptops by the government to students and tutors would deepen students’ knowledge in science and technology which were essential pre-requisite for human resource development in the quest of the country to achieve a middle-income status.

The Minister said the programme, which was being funded by USAID at 1.79 million US dollars was to create a common understanding on basic ICT concepts through problem solving strategies.

She said it would also facilitate preparation of technology enhanced curriculum materials to support pedagogy and content in Education Management Information System (EMIS).

She expressed gratitude to USAID for financing the project, which was part of Data Management and Communication Strengthening programme of the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service.

Mr Andrews Karas, Deputy Mission Director, USAID said the United States was committed to building partnership that produce substantial development results.

He said USAID was setting ambitious goals and taking on some of the world greatest challenges.

Mr Karas said USAID was working with Vodafone to install internet upgrades to 400 Senior High Schools throughout the country, adding that, the teachers attending the workshop now were the first batch out of 800 to be trained by their partner GeSCI over the next eight days.

He said now that the schools have connectivity they were training teachers on how to use this new resource to improve students’ learning.

Mr Seth O. Baiden, Director, Ghana Education Staff Development Institute said every nation that needs to develop and catch up with the rest of the developed nations must integrate ICT into teaching and learning as a top priority on the education agenda.

He said Ghana has reached a stage where ICT should be properly integrated into teaching, learning and education management service to contribute greatly to improve efficiency and effectiveness of achieving quality education.

Mr Baiden said he was convinced that the integration of ICT into the teaching of integrated science and English, to start with, should bring about a revolutionary change in teaching methodologies so that learning at school would be fun and accessible.

He said it is important for teachers to know that the use of ICT in a lesson must add value to instruction delivery and class interaction.

GNA