I-TOP
i-TOP FOR LESS PRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN SCHOOL
i-TOP means Information Technology Outreach Program. It is a social inclusion initiative intended to bring the computer and basic computer skills to less privileged children in the Ghanaian society, particularly children in school who have little or no access to the use of computers. The management of schools, parent-teacher associations and local authorities of the communities where i-TOP operates are key actors in the initiative. The i-TOP initiative will be an impetus for schools or child development facilities that intend to establish and own a computer laboratory through the philosophy of self-help. At ACI, it is our belief that the African child in the 21st century needs to know how to use the computer in order to succeed in higher education, career ambitions and future aspirations.
Statement of Problem
The mainstreaming of computer usage in Ghana has led to the introduction of ICT is a subject at the Primary and Junior High School levels in Ghana. However, a large number of schools have no computers, or facilities to support the teaching and learning of ICT. Worse still, many school children from low income families face a potential threat of never handling the computer throughout the first cycle of education, and even beyond. These children must be a part of the computer age.
Objectives
The general objectives of this initiative are:
- To introduce computers and their use to children
- To teach children the basic computer skills
- To help schools or child development facilities establish and own an ICT facility
- To assist teachers in preparing and teaching their lessons with the computer
Project Description
This project offers basic skills in computer to less privileged children in school. In order to get their full commitment, the beneficiary schools must pay a nominal fee to cover all the children participating in the project. Every child has access to one computer at a time. Professional IT tutors offers teaching support to children. Most of the tuition is done at the ICT Centre of Africa Change International. Ultimately, the participating school will be assisted to establish and manage their own ICT facility.
Modules
The modules for this project will draw inspiration from the GES Syllabus on ICT. Participating children will acquire the following basic skills:
- Introduction to Computers
- Parts and Uses of the Computer
- Keyboarding and Basic Typing Skills
- MS Word
- Spreadsheet
- MS Excel
- Encarta
- Introduction to Internet, E-mail, and Search Engines (Google, Wikipedia, etc)
Target Group
Children from less privileged schools or child development facilities are the main beneficiaries of the i-TOP initiative. Currently, the project is offering basic skills in computer to some 360 children in Upper Primary and Junior High School of the Police Depot Basic School in Tesano, Accra.
Duration
This is a two-year project. It runs from September 2009 to December 2009 on pilot basis. The full duration is from January 2010 to December 2011.
Indicators
By the end of the project,
- Beneficiary schools will be able to establish and manage their own ICT facility
- Beneficiary children will improve their understanding of ICT as a subject
- Children will acquire basic skills in computer usage
- School teachers will be able to organize their lesson notes and improve their teaching methods with the computer
Facilitators
Many persons from diverse backgrounds shall play a role in facilitating this initiative. Among them are professional IT graduates from IPMC, local and foreign volunteers, and care mothers.
Supporting Organization
Ghana Education Service (GES)
Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA)
Institute of Professional Management Studies (IPMC)
Clarion Call
Africa Change International hereby calls on call individuals, corporate bodies, civil society groups and philanthropic organizations that share in this vision to come aboard this yacht to reach out to less privileged children.
