Quite unexpectedly, and after an 1800 km return dash to Accra with our TRC colleague, Rais, we are back in Lawra and all is well. We thought that our reproductive capabilities had come to an end but remarkably they have been restored (the wonders of modern science). Thanks to sponsorship from Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin, from our friends Dave and Jan, and some precious funds from the Teachers’ Resource Centre (TRC), birth was given to a new (re-conditioned) photocopier to replace the TRC’s, which packed up completely a few days ago. The photocopier is an essential facility (the only one) for the whole of the District’s 150+ schools and also generates precious income to fund essential purchases, such as stationery, toner, books etc.
In Accra, we also procured the means to enable the TRC to connect to the Internet and paid for 12 months subscription (our own money – for now) in advance. The Internet facility is very slow and will allow only limited use via one computer, but it is better than none! CD based Teach-Yourself curriculum resources from the UK and Encarta (encyclopaedia) would be some useful acquisitions to help overcome the Internet’s limited capability.
Teaching and Learning materials (TLM’s) are in such limited supply here, so in the short time remaining to us we are endeavouring to equip the TRC with the means to enable Teachers to search the Internet, find suitable teaching and learning materials, download them and then print and reproduce them ‘professionally’.
We need to acquire funding for more computers (a good reconditioned one can be purchased here for about £250) to enable us to: teach ICT skills to the District’s Teachers and to give students an experience of computers, which they cannot get in school. ICT is a compulsory part of the schools’ curriculum but there is neither electricity nor computers – thus the TRC has a critical role to play in ensuring acquisition of ICT skills for all.
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