Sunyani MA Basic School's ICT Crisis: Over 400 Pupils Share One Computer

More than 400 pupils at the Sunyani MA Basic School in the Sunyani East Municipality of the Bono Region are compelled to share a single desktop computer for ICT lessons, prompting urgent calls for support. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an examinable subject at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), yet many basic schools across the country lack the tools needed to teach it effectively. During practical sessions at the Sunyani MA Basic School, pupils gather around the lone computer, severely limiting hands-on learning and understanding of ICT concepts. The Headmaster of the school, Eric Duotey, said the situation is undermining effective teaching and learning, and appealed to individuals and organisations to come to the school’s aid. “We have only one desktop computer for our ICT lessons. I always feel sad when I see what my pupils go through during ICT lessons. I am appealing to NGOs and philanthropists to support us with computers to enhance the teaching and learning of ICT in the school,” he said. Mr Duotey added that ICT lessons are supposed to be practical rather than theoretical, but the lack of computers has forced teachers to rely mainly on theory. “ICT lessons should be practical, not theoretical, but that is what we are compelled to do because of inadequate computers,” he explained. An ICT teacher at the school, Francis Boahene, also shared the challenges he faces in delivering lessons with just one computer. “It is very difficult to teach this number of pupils with only one desktop computer. I have to put them into groups, and as a result, we are unable to complete our topics on time. Topics that should be completed within a week now take about two weeks,” he said. A pupil, Nana Adwoa Adjei-Kyeremeh, also appealed for support, saying the shortage of computers affects the pace of learning. “Because we have only one computer, we are unable to finish our lessons on time since our ICT teacher has to put us into groups. We will be very happy if people come to support the school with computers,” she said.