Deploy virtual learning systems – Kofi Asare tells government

The government should deploy a virtual learning system to facilitate teaching and learning in the flood-affected communities in the Volta region says the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Mr Kofi Asare.

He explained the virtual learning system which will comprise of Television (TV), radio, Internet modes, and the use of facilitators to help the students get back on track with their studies.

Speaking in an interview with RGG News, he stated that in the absence of electricity, the government can use solar to ensure the full implementation of the virtual learning systems in the communities.

“We did it under COVID; there is nothing new here; we have the facilities. During COVID, we did radio and TV schools in the northern part of the country where there was no electricity so there’s nothing new in this case, all we have to do is deploy,” he explained.

He further urged the government to, in the long term, adopt the “Education Emergency Policy” to strengthen the capacity of local governments to respond to disasters in education and mitigate the extent education is disrupted by disasters.

“Education is a basic right and in a disaster situation, education is integral in the humanitarian response,” he said.

He described the Minister of Education's visit to the affected communities as heartwarming, but the areas were yet to see significant solutions to ensure that teaching and learning continue.

“In the Volta region, the regional education director has directed that schools that are nearby run a shift system and that is a good innovation within our constraint but overall, we should deploy virtual learning systems,” she added.

The Volta River Authority was compelled to commence controlled spillage of excess inflows into the Akosombo and Kpong Hydro-electric Dams on September 15, 2023, which was within the various graduated stages of the EPP phase 1 spillage rate.

On October 9, 2023, the spill rate was increased to phase 2, due to persistent rainfall which resulted in a continuous rise of the water level in the Akosombo Dam.

As a result of this, flooding has been encountered in several communities within parts of the Volta, Greater Accra, and Eastern regions. The districts affected include North Tongu, Central Tongu, South Tongu, Anlo, and Keta Municipality, in the Volta Region.

The rest are Asuogyaman and Lower Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region, and Shai Osudoku, and Ada East, in the Greater Accra Region, with Mepe township, in the North Tongu District being the worst-hit community.