PROFILE OF THE OKESS ICT DEPARTMENT

Introduction

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department of Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS) plays a vital role in equipping students and staff with the knowledge, skills and competencies required to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The Department is committed to promoting digital literacy, innovation, creativity, problem-solving and the effective use of technology in teaching and learning. Over the years, the Department has contributed significantly to the development of students, teachers, interns and other professionals who have benefited from the knowledge and experience gained at OKESS.

HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT

The ICT Department at Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School has its roots in the early development of computer education at the school.

In 2002, the programme was initiated through the support of a private individual, a professor from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The initiative was initially operated on a contractual basis.

At the time, the programme received support in the form of 70 chairs and 35 tables, while the instructor also supported the payment of teachers from his personal income. During the period when OKESS was operating a satellite campus, ICT was not yet a core subject, and students who were interested in the subject paid to participate in ICT lessons.

Following the implementation of the new Education Reform, ICT became a core subject, leading to the separation of the ICT Department from the Science Department and its establishment as an independent department.

Since then, the Department has continued to grow and evolve in response to developments in technology and the changing educational needs of students.

HUMAN CAPACITY

The ICT Department currently has a team of nine dedicated and competent teachers with expertise in various areas of Information and Communication Technology.

The teachers are committed to providing quality instruction and practical ICT education to students. They also contribute to the digital development of the wider school community through staff training, technical support and the promotion of technology-based teaching and learning.

MISSION

Our mission is to provide students with quality ICT education that equips them with relevant knowledge, practical skills, digital competencies and innovative abilities necessary for academic excellence, personal development and success in the modern technological world.

VISION

The vision of the OKESS ICT Department is to become a centre of excellence in ICT education by promoting digital literacy, innovation, creativity and technological advancement, thereby contributing to the transformation and enhancement of the image of Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School.

CORE OBJECTIVES

The ICT Department seeks to:

  • Equip students with essential digital literacy skills.
  • Promote the effective and responsible use of technology.
  • Develop students’ problem-solving and computational thinking skills.
  • Encourage creativity, innovation and technological entrepreneurship.
  • Support the integration of ICT into teaching and learning.
  • Provide students with practical experience in the use of modern ICT tools.
  • Develop students’ readiness for further education and the world of work.
  • Promote continuous professional development among ICT teachers and staff.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Over the years, the ICT Department has recorded a number of achievements, including the following:

Training of Professionals

The Department has provided practical training and internship opportunities for students from various universities and tertiary institutions. A number of these interns have gone on to develop professional careers in education, ICT and other sectors.

Staff ICT Capacity Development

The Department has played an important role in improving the ICT competencies of teachers and staff of OKESS. Teachers have been supported to develop practical skills in the use of computers and other digital technologies.

One significant initiative was the training and orientation of teachers at the ICT Laboratory to enable them to acquire basic computer skills and become more confident in using technology for their work.

The Department continues to encourage staff to develop the capacity to use computers, smartphones and other modern technological tools effectively.

Support for Teaching and Learning

The ICT Department continues to support the school in promoting technology-based teaching and learning and in helping students develop the skills required to function effectively in the digital age.

NEEDS AND PRIORITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT

To enable the Department to provide effective and modern ICT education, there is a need for additional resources and infrastructure.

1. Dedicated ICT Technician

The Department needs a qualified ICT technician who can provide regular maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs of computers and other ICT equipment.

Having a dedicated technician will enable teachers to concentrate on teaching and learning while ensuring that the ICT infrastructure remains functional.

2. Additional Desktop Computers

There is a need for additional desktop computers to increase the computer-to-student ratio and provide students with adequate opportunities for practical lessons.

3. Durable Laptops

The laptops currently available in the new laboratory require assessment and, where necessary, replacement with more durable and suitable devices capable of meeting the demands of regular student use.

4. Smart Boards

The Department requires smart boards and other interactive teaching technologies to enhance classroom instruction and make ICT lessons more practical, engaging and effective.

5. Hardware and Peripheral Equipment

There is also a need for additional computer accessories and hardware components, including keyboards, mice, monitors, storage devices, networking equipment and other peripherals.

CHALLENGES

The Department continues to face some challenges that require the attention and support of the school administration, students, parents, old students and other stakeholders.

One major concern is the loss or damage of computer peripherals. Some portable accessories can easily be removed from the laboratory, creating difficulties in maintaining the equipment.

The Department therefore appeals to students to treat all ICT equipment with care and to recognize that these facilities are provided for the benefit of the entire school community.

The Department also welcomes greater support from old students and other stakeholders, particularly in the provision of computer hardware, software, networking equipment and other technological resources.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Department recommends the following:

  1. Strict regulation of bags and personal belongings in the ICT Laboratory.
    Students should be instructed not to take school bags and unnecessary personal belongings into the ICT Laboratory.
  2. Improved security of ICT facilities.
    Appropriate measures should be implemented to safeguard computers, peripherals and other ICT equipment.
  3. Employment or assignment of a qualified ICT technician.
    A dedicated technician should be available to maintain and repair ICT equipment.
  4. Expansion and modernization of ICT facilities.
    The school should continue to invest in computers, smart boards, networking equipment and other modern technologies.
  5. Strengthening partnerships with old students and stakeholders.
    The Department encourages old students, corporate organizations, parents and other stakeholders to support the development of ICT infrastructure at OKESS.
  6. Introduction of Elective ICT/Computing.
    The Department recommends consideration of the introduction of Elective ICT/Computing at OKESS. The school has competent and qualified ICT teachers who can effectively support the teaching of the subject at the elective level.

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

Technology is no longer simply an additional skill; it has become an essential part of education, communication, employment and national development.

As the ICT Department of Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School, we recognize our responsibility to prepare students not only to use technology, but also to understand it, create with it, innovate through it and use it responsibly.

Our goal is to develop digitally confident students who can compete effectively in Ghana and beyond. We are committed to working closely with the school administration, teachers, students, parents, old students and other stakeholders to transform the ICT Department into a modern centre of digital learning and innovation.

We welcome partnerships, ideas and support that will help us provide our students with the technological resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

Together, we can build a digitally empowered OKESS.

JEREMIAH NTI
Head of Department (ICT)
Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School (OKESS)