The Pentecost Preparatory School, Koforidua, on July 2, 2020, launched a Virtual Classroom Project to keep academic work going following the closedown of schools as part of the COVID–19 restrictions.
Speaking at the launch of the project at the school, the Head Master for the school, Elder Gabriel Amiteye, stated: “In order not to leave our pupils unattended to academically, the school devised a WhatsApp interface through which we sent questions and other educational materials to keep our pupils academically active while at home.”
He added: “The lessons and challenges COVID-19 has brought to us globally, if any educational institution relegates ICT into the realms of insignificance, that institution would soon be out of the competitive market.“
Even though the WhatsApp platform was good, it had its limitations, therefore the school in collaboration with Compass Educational Institute, owned by an alumnus of the school, rolled out the Virtual Classroom project, which will provide real time teaching and learning experience.
The company has provided the school with all the necessary gadgets and teachers have been adequately trained for the exercise.
The Koforidua Area Head, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, said that The Church of Pentecost has shown that it is interested in the use of technology and this was evident in the recent General Council meeting which was held online.
He stated that the use of PENT TV and other social media platforms of the church has kept church activities going during the COVID-19 restrictions. He was very excited that the school has taken this bold step and hoped that the other Pentecost Schools in the country would emulate the initiative.
On his part, the PENTSOS Director, Elder Richard Amaning, praised the management of the school for the project. He indicated that the project falls in line with PENTSOS vision to improve access and quality in the educational institutions of the church and also the “Schools Digitization (S-DIG) Project” the directorate is embarking on in the schools.
Elder Amaning said that the overarching purpose of the “Schools Digitization Project” is to enhance ICT teaching and learning in all Pentecost schools. The project, he said, among others, seeks to support schools without the requisite ICT infrastructure (such as functional ICT laboratories as well as teaching and learning aids) and to also train ICT teachers in the Pentecost schools in understanding and appreciating the current trends in ICT education in Ghana.
He disclosed that the initiative will be replicated in the church’s educational institutions across the nation.
Koforidua Pentecost Preparatory School was established on 1st October 1980 with 91 pupils by the late Apostle A. T. Nartey, the then Eastern Regional Head of the church. The school currently has an enrolment of 1,247 pupils and a staff strength of 76.
Present at the launch were Apostle Daniel Nsaful (Effiduase Area Head), a cross–section of ministers from Koforidua and Effiduase Areas, management and staff of the school as well as some parents and pupils.
Report by Area Media Team.