Seventy-eight Junior High School (JHS) graduates in the Upper East Region have completed an intensive two-month training in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Proficiency and Web Development under the Norgence Academy’s annual Curriculum Bridge Programme.
The graduation ceremony, held in Bolgatanga, marked another milestone in the Academy’s efforts to equip young learners with practical digital skills before they transition to Senior High School (SHS), addressing what it describes as persistent gaps in ICT education at the basic school level.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Norgence Digital Solutions, Albert Naa, said the initiative was introduced in response to the inadequate ICT infrastructure and learning resources in many basic schools across the region.
“Today, by the grace of God, we have gathered to do two things: celebrate the graduation of students we have trained over the past two months and expose them to the many opportunities available in the ICT industry,” he said.
Mr. Naa noted that although Ghana’s JHS ICT curriculum is comprehensive, many schools lack the equipment and facilities needed to deliver practical lessons, leaving students without the digital competencies expected before entering secondary school.
“The curriculum is very rich. Unfortunately, the lack of resources on the ground has often made it impossible for students to acquire the practical ICT skills they need before progressing to the second cycle,” he explained.
According to him, this year’s beneficiaries constitute the fifth cohort of the Curriculum Bridge Programme, which has been running since 2018. Nearly 80 applicants were admitted and trained in five batches of between 15 and 16 students.
Participants received hands-on training in computer desktop management, keyboarding using Mavis Beacon, Microsoft Word, the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), HTML and CSS, as well as career guidance on opportunities within the ICT sector.
Since its inception, the Norgence ICT Academy has trained more than 2,000 individuals, including students, schools, institutions and corporate groups, as part of its mission to bridge the digital divide in the Upper East Region.
Some of the graduates expressed appreciation to the Academy, describing the programme as a valuable opportunity that has boosted their confidence and prepared them for ICT-related studies at the senior high level.
The Academy also announced that admission remains open for Senior High School students and individuals seeking professional ICT certification and digital skills training.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com |102.7 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
