EduSpots launches its digitalisation process on 17 April 2024, distributing devices to volunteers named ‘Catalysts’ from 30 underserved communities across 15 regions of Ghana.
EduSpots is a UK and Ghanaian registered NGO, working to train, equip and connect over 300 local Catalysts to ignite educational opportunities for over 10,000 learners through a network of 50 community-led education spaces (libraries) named ‘Spots’.
As part of a Digital Launch Day, which also involves wider digital skills and online safety training for selected Catalysts and local students, EduSpots is leading a panel event on the theme of ‘Digital skills for a more equitable future: harnessing the power of digital tools to address educational inequity in underserved communities’.
The confirmed guest speakers include: Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, and National Science and Maths Quiz Host; Mr Aaron Akwaboah, Director for Strategy and Innovation at the Ministry of Education; Ms Nana Afua Serwaa, ‘Shecanic’, Wanderlust Ghana; Mrs Gifty Ghansah, Headmistress of African Science Academy; Mr Charles Antipem, CEO and Co-Founder of Dext Technology; Mr Nana Kwame Appiakubi, Regional Director, Central Region, Ghana Library Authority.
This launch follows the ‘Drive for Digitalisation’ viral campaign Wanderlust Ghana led in support of EduSpots in July 2023. The Wanderlust Ghana team drove 10,000km from Accra to London, partly to raise awareness of digital inequity, raising $20,000 for EduSpots in support of the procurement of digital devices.
As part of this occasion, a number of tablets and laptops, with accompanying safety boxes and wifi kits, will be distributed to the attending Catalysts for use at their community-based ‘Spots’, with thanks to Wanderlust Ghana and the Fonthill Foundation.
Richard Anim, from Wanderlust Ghana, commented: “The emergence of the fourth Industrial Revolution means that students across the globe must be empowered with the skills to make them fit for purpose for the future of work. The work of EduSpots across Ghana helps to push this agenda and Wanderlust was pleased to support this initiative.”
EduSpots is also launching its new app, funded by the Gower Street Trust, which will provide a tool for Catalysts to lead their Spots effectively, with systems for learner and volunteer registration, book and resource borrowing, logging Spot activities and accessing training resources and feedback.
At 6pm, EduSpots will celebrate the launch with the wider volunteer network and public with an online session open to all via Eventbrite on digital tools in the classroom with IT teacher, Eric Asomani Asante, Varkey Foundation 2023 Global Teacher Prize Top 10 Finalist. Sign-up to attend here.
Aduko Savera, an EduLit club member at Kalpohin Spot, Tamale commented: “I believe if students have the opportunity to use these kinds of devices in our Spot, learning will be much easier and fun and many students will be dropping to the library.”
Seidu Yahya, Catalyst at Ejura Spot commented: “Having access to technology will improve the problem-solving abilities of our learners and create independent thinkers who explore community challenges and develop the solutions for them.”
EduSpots’ Founder, Cat Davison, commented: “We are all so excited to see the impact of these digital tools within the communities, and hope to use this trial effectively to implement a longer term digitisation process across our network. We would encourage any organization or individual interested in supporting this process to reach out.”
This event is part of EduSpots’ wider 5-day Catalyse Leadership Academy, a core part of EduSpots’ Catalyse Leadership Programme funded by the EA Foundation, through which 30 Catalysts from 30 Spots are moving through a 9-month process of leadership training, grant funding, and developing sustainable plans to advance their Spots.
Visit www.eduspots.org to learn more about EduSpots’ work.
Support us!
If you would like to support us in our big aim to equip every Spot in our network with a set of devices for learners, please email our Founder at cdavison@eduspots.org to discuss partnership opportunities.
You can also make a donation today at this link!
Catalysts and EduSpots staff at this year’s Catalyse Leadership Academy
About EduSpots:
EduSpots is a grassroots movement that connects, trains, and equips over 300 volunteers to create and sustain educational opportunities for over 10,000 learners in underserved communities through 50 community-led spaces named ‘Spots.’ In 2023, EduSpots was selected as a finalist for the Their World Education Innovation Scale-Up Awards, and their Founder was a 2021 Global Teacher Prize Finalist.
To support EduSpots’ work in this digitalisation process or beyond, email the Founder, Cat Davison, at info@eduspots.org.
You can join our online Digital Launch Event workshop with Eric Asante here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eduspots-catalyse-workshop-tickets-881347874217
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/eduspots
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Twitter: www.twitter.com/eduspots