Hands-on computer classes for 1,800 Ghana children

April, May and June are tough months for students in their third year of basic education in Ghana. Those are the months when they prepare for the B.E.C.E. - the exam they must pass to enter secondary school.

So the four regional public libraries (Ashanti, Upper East, Volta and Western) that - with your support - are travelling to under-resourced schools bringing laptops and modem internet to give the students essential hands-on computer experience have been very busy.

On average, each library visited three to five schools three times a month, conducting two practical computer skills classes during each visit. The libraries reached 1,500 children. In addition to learning how to use computers and the internet, the children were able to study and practise answering exam questions using educational materials that have been pre-loaded to the laptops.

They wrote their exams in June, and we’re still waiting for the results. The teachers and children are confident, and we’ll update you in our next report, so that you can see how your support has made a difference. Fingers crossed!

After the exams, everyone relaxed a bit, and the librarians spent time teaching some fun skills - like drawing and inserting photos into documents. “It is like playing,” said an excited young learner from Ashanti Region as she created and coloured shapes with the drawing tool.

Overall, the librarians and teachers are impressed with their student's progress. “The progress so far is amazing - especially the Form 1 pupils (aged around 12) who are able to use MS Word and Excel much faster than before,” said the mobile librarian in Ashanti Region.

Thank-you for your support!