The Ghana Smart Schools Project is an extension of government’s free Senior High School project being digitalized. The objective is to empower Ghanaian students to learn the smart way with limitless boundaries.
What are the specifications of the tablet (Battery life, software version, etc.)
- The tablets have a hybrid power system, electric charging and solar system to ensure that all period round it can be used
- The tablets can be used both online and offline
- The tablets can support SIM cards and operate on an android 12 operating system. It comes with hardware components that supports it use
- All tablets are programmed with offline textbook, lesson notes, past questions and other research materials to make learning easy
- In the case of missing tablet, all tablet would be insured, each tablet has a tracking software. The tablet can be disenabled in case it is not found.
- Each student will keep his/her tablet throughout the period of study. Upon completion, the tablet must be returned to the schools, they are properties of the school.
- Screen size 10.1″inch; RAM 4GB; Storage 128GB; Battery capacity is 3.7V / 8000mAH lasting 7-8hrs; Each tablet has a pre-installed Learning Mgt System (LMS). The platform is available both online and offline. All current approved contents by NaCCA have been uploaded on the platform.
What is the distribution plan?
A total of 1.3m tablets is currently available in stock to ensure every student gets one. The distribution is in phases; tablets would be delivered to schools through GES/TVET regional stores. The entire distribution process is automated. Students’ enrolment data approved by the FSHS secretariat is preloaded into the distribution app. Every device serial number is then assigned to a specific student. By this, GES know the user of every device.
What are the learning contents on the tablet?
Each tablet has a pre-installed Learning Mgt System (LMS). The platform is available both online and offline. All current approved contents by NaCCA have been uploaded on the platform.
Currently, GES have contents from KG to SHS on the platform (that is, video, PDF, WAEC revision questions, etc.). Additional contents would be uploaded to meet the changing needs of students in line with policy direction.
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Is the tablet here to replace textbooks?
This would be a policy decision to replace textbooks by the GES and MoE.
What happens to publishers of textbooks?
Publishers remain key to this project. The content has been paid for and GES have continuous working relationship with the publishers, all copyright terms and conditions are observed.
What happens when the tablet breaks down?
GES have set up 24/7 online and in person support, 216 district KATCare partner shops to provide support to all our customers. Government is also creating support through PwDs to be trained and assigned to beneficiary schools to provide support, with mobile solar kiosk.
Who pays for maintenance?
The SM1 tablet has one year warranty. Thus, all device or factory defects would be fixed at no cost to students.
Will students keep tablets and take them home?
The objective of the project is to empower students to learn irrespective of whether they are on campus or at home. In effect, students will be allowed to take tablets home. They’ll equally keep the tablets while on campus. GES are also able to lock or shutdown the tablet to ensure students take enough rest and reactivate, that is, shutdown 10pm and reactivate 4am.
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