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Viral post of Ghanian teacher using blackboard to teach Microsoft Word inspires all of us

education February 28, 2018
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A photo capturing a Ghanaian teacher teaching his students Microsoft Word on a chalk board without a computer has gone viral by showing us to never let a lack of resources get in their way.

Richard Appiah Akoto is a 33-year-old communication technology teacher at Betenase M/A Junior High School in Sekyedumase, Ghana. Despite the fact that the students at Betenase M/A don’t have access to computers, they have to pass a national exam (which includes computer technology) to graduate to high school.

https://www.facebook.com/hottish.owura/posts/1948212815208114

Akoto refused to let his limited resources prevent his students from falling behind kids who are learning with computers. The inventine teacher told Quartz Africa that students in more affluent areas, like the capitol of Accra, have access to computers and will naturally pass the exam easier than his own students:

“Definitely those in Accra [Ghana’s capital] will pass the exam because you cannot compare someone who is in front of a computer, who knows what he is doing with the mouse to someone who has not had a feel of a computer mouse before.”

The teacher further explained that he’s been teaching computer classes on the chalkboard for a while now:

“This is not my first time [of drawing] it. I have been doing it anytime I am in the classroom…I like posting pictures on Facebook so I just felt like [sharing it]. I didn’t know it would get the attention of people like that.”

Akoto’s Facebook post went viral went Teacher Kwadwo, a popular Ghanian comedian, who is also a teacher, shared the picture and encouraged people to help Akoto’s students get access to technology.

https://www.facebook.com/TikyaKwadwo/photos/a.1511402802235705.1073741829.1250802124962442/1944963432212971/?type=3&theater

Then Cameroonian tech entrepreneur Rebecca Enonchong, aka @afrotechie, called on Microsoft to get Akoto’s classroom the proper resources. Microsoft Africa responded that they will help the teacher get what he needs to teach his class:

“Supporting teachers to enable digital transformation in education is at the core of what we do. We will equip Owura Kwadwo with a device from one of our partners, and access to our MCE program & free professional development.”

Akoto is an inspiration to us all and it’s pretty awesome to see that Microsoft has responded to the viral picture by getting the necessary technology to his classroom.

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