Authorities in Ghana are preparing online learning resources for students to acquire knowledge as a result of the closure of schools due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The country’s Education Ministry said on Tuesday that the distance learning program will be rolled out soon.
Sector Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh made this known at a media briefing in the nation’s capital, Accra.
“After the president’s directive, UNESCO got in touch with us so that Ghana can take part in the online learning through social media, traditional media broadcast so education can continue because UNESCO had anticipated there was going to be a break in education all around the world. In the media, WAEC announced that the exams have been postponed. So we recalled the final year students home”, the Minister said.
As part of the country’s battle plan, schools have been forced to close down as the Covid-19 outbreak worsens.
The directive as announced by President Akufo-Addo on March 16, cuts across public and private schools.
“All Universities, Senior High Schools, and basic schools, i.e. public and private schools, will be closed Monday, 16th March 2020, till further notice. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, has been tasked to roll out distance learning programmes,” he said.
The Education Minister, however, warned that any head of institution who does not adhere to the directive would be sanctioned.
“The school closure, is a total closure for both public and private schools within the country. Any head of an institution that attempts to keep students in school does so at his or her own risk”, the Minister emphasized.
Ghana’s Covid-19 status
So far the country has recorded 52 cases of Covid-19 outbreak with two deaths.
Health authorities are on high alert as over 1000 individuals are being quarantined.
Government has instituted a number of measures, including border closures to prevent the spread of the disease.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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