Make The Ghana Learning TV Program More Inclusive And Beneficial – Education Advocate Urges GES

Divine Kpe, Education Advocate has advised the Ghana Educational Service (GES) to make the Ghana Learning TV, a new 24-hour channel programme geared towards distance learning more open to all students.

According to him, the initiative when done well would exhibit higher scores and encourage Ghanaian students to learn from home during the Coronavirus pandemic in a better way.

Following a directive by President Akufo-Addo for the closure of all schools, as part of measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, GES has put in place measures to cater for the educational needs of all students but Divine Kpe believes it should be done in a better way.

Kpe, also an Africa Education Watch Fellow stated ‘’ My checks indicate there is little awareness about the GL TV to those that it mostly concerns (students). Also, most parents aren’t aware of the existence of such channel, let alone create the environment for their wards to follow the lessons (should they have televisions at home).

‘’A way to address this dearth of awareness is for the GES to, through its district education directorates, work with the various MMDAs who will also work through their assemblypersons to create awareness about the channel in their various communities and encourage parents to create the right environment for their children to partake in the lessons.’’ He said in a statement.

‘’GES should create subject or class-based social media platforms such as Facebook or Telegram pages for students with smart devices to join to ask questions, seek clarification, or for the teachers who are presenting the lessons, including the “Peer Review Teachers” to continue engaging the student on such platforms.’’

‘’To ensure students without smart devices also have access to the teachers to ask their questions on the lessons being delivered on the GL TV, the GES should also make available free call-in numbers. Students who then can’t have access to social media platforms can also call these free call-in numbers.’’ He further indicated in the statement.

Vulnerable Learners

‘’When education is in a crisis like this, it is the vulnerable children that are most disadvantaged. While we await  GES to roll out its “Radio School” so that children without TV can also benefit from the ongoing e-learning, it is important to note that, another category of vulnerable learners are left out, i.e., children with Special Education Needs and Disorder (SEND) such as those with cerebral palsy, autism, visual impairment, and hearing impairment. To include these students, I urge the GES to provide sign language translation of the lessons on the GLTV for the benefit of children with hearing impairment. Further, the Special Education Unit of the Ghana Education Service should design education content (taking into consideration Universal Design for Learning) tailored at students with cognitive disorders for broadcasting on the GL TV.’’ Divine Kpe further made passionate appeal to GES authorities in respect to valuable students.