Online Learning Mode For School of Dispensing Optics

The School of Dispensing Optics, at Oyoko in the Sekyere East District, will soon roll out an online distance learning mode to facilitate teaching and learning in the school.

This is to help the students, especially those in their final year, to continue with their academic work from home, given the closure of schools by the government as part of measures to fight the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Mr Kofi Boakye Principal of the School told the Ghana News Agency at Oyoko that, the e-learning platform was critical for the students to stay in touch and continue with their academic programmes without any disruptions.

Speaking during a visit to the school, he said though the outbreak of COVID-19 which had forced the closure of the schools in the country was a bad news, it had also created an opportunity to innovate and introduce online distance learning programmes.

This would not only help increase enrolment but would also improve the use of information communication and technology in teaching and learning in the school, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.

“We believe these are challenging times for the country as a whole not only on the educational sector but also on the socio-economic sector.

We are, however, doing our best with the possible Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in our school in direct collaboration with the Ministry of Education in rolling out this online distance learning programmes soon.

We cannot bear to lose academic contacts with our valuable students and would do our best by engaging them with the requisite learning materials especially, our final year students who are preparing to write their Licensure examinations this year”, Mr Boakye stated.

The School of Dispensing Optics was established in 2001 as a private facility through the collaborative work of the Swiss Red Cross, the Africa Action in Germany and the Westphalian Children’s Village at Oyoko.

It was, however, converted into a public facility on November 25, 2008, and had since trained over 500 graduates with Certificates in Optical Technician and Diploma in Optician.

The school is currently grappling with some challenges such as inadequate classroom blocks and hostel facilities, laboratories and others.

It is currently constructing a four-storey students’ hostel, with a 600-bed capacity estimated at GH¢685,876.00.

Additionally, a four-storey lecture hall facility with 12 lecture rooms is underway at an estimated cost GH¢790,672.00.

Mr Boakye appealed to the government and philanthropic individuals and organizations to come to the aid of the school to ensure the early completion of the projects.