Jackson Institute of Technology (JIT) a subsidiary of Jackson Educational Complex (JEC) which was set up ultimately to offer industry-based courses to individuals and institutions to produce experts who are industry and future-ready in partnership with NIIT India has provided specialised IT training for teachers of the KNUST Basic Schools in Kumasi.

JIT embarked on this training project to equip teachers in the KNUST Basic Schools with skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook) and working smart with the internet. The project which span over a period of four months had 33 participants comprising teachers from the KNUST Nursery, Primary School, and JHS.

The project culminated with a colourful graduation ceremony at the Jackson Educational Complex Head Office in Kumasi where all participants of the training were given certificates from the partner institution NIIT India. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo along with the Head of the KNUST Basic Schools, Rev. Mrs. Irene O. Nkansah, the Director of JEC, Professor Ebenezer Jackson,  the Pro Director of JEC, Mr. Daniel A. Jackson, the Principal of Jackson College of Education  Mrs. Theodosia Jackson graced the occasion.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Theodosia Jackson outlined the motive behind the project to give the teachers these skills.

“Technology these days is ubiquitous and every aspect of our lives have been influenced by the use of technology more so with the national drive towards digitization to enhance the very same attributes of productivity and efficiency. The more reason why Jackson Institute of Technology saw the need to prepare these teachers for the future which is now”. She propounded.

Delivering his speech at the graduation ceremony, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo who stood in for the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST expressed immense gratitude to the management of JEC and JIT in particular for the support given to the teachers of the KNUST Basic Schools which he believes will go a long way to improve their work efficiency and productivity.

He further urged the graduating group not to just display the certificates in their rooms and offices but use them for the fulfilment of their teaching career.

“I therefore edge you not to relax but keep learning new things and relegate the status quo the past. Encourage your colleagues who did to take part to be students of the next cohort which will guide them in teaching students whose work titles and work types, some are yet to be discovered and invented”. He said.

Rev. Mrs. Irene O. Nkansah, Head of the KNUST Basic Schools also expressed her joy and gratitude to the management and facilitators for their dedication to enhance the skill set of the teachers.

JIT aims to continuously provide practical IT knowledge in other courses in the future to adequately prepare individuals and institutions to become fully equipped and future-ready with their initiatives wherever they go.