Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak, has criticized the previous Akufo-Addo administration for failing to deliver on the promised smart tablets for students. He argues that the initiative lacked the impact it promised and failed to reach its intended goal of empowering students through technology.
Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak, has blasted the previous Akufo-Addo-led government for its failure to meet its promise of delivering 1.3 million smart tablets for Senior High School students. Apaak describes the initiative as a failed promise and accuses the former president of deceiving the nation.
Dr. Clement Apaak Criticizes Akufo-Addo Administration’s Failure to Fulfill Smart Tablets Promise
Accra, Ghana – March 29, 2025 — In a strong statement, Dr. Clement Apaak, the Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Builsa South, has sharply criticized the Akufo-Addo administration for its inability to deliver on its promise to provide smart tablets to students under the Ghana Smart Schools Project.
The initiative, launched in March 2024 by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, was intended to enhance the educational experience of Senior High School (SHS) students by equipping them with modern technological tools, including tablets. The government’s original target was to distribute 1.3 million tablets to SHS students across the country. However, according to Dr. Apaak, the promise was not fulfilled, and the tablets were not used by students as intended.
The Promise and Reality of the Smart Tablets Initiative
Dr. Apaak’s criticism centers around the stark contrast between the government’s ambitious goal and the outcome of the project. While the Akufo-Addo administration promised to equip SHS students with 1.3 million tablets, only 250,000 tablets were distributed by the end of its tenure. This discrepancy, according to Dr. Apaak, highlights a significant failure in the execution of the Ghana Smart Schools Project.
The Ghana Smart Schools Project was meant to align with the government’s commitment to enhancing education through technology and providing students with essential technological skills. It was part of the broader Free Senior High School (SHS) policy aimed at making education more accessible and modernizing the learning experience for the younger generation.
However, Dr. Apaak stated that even in schools where the tablets were distributed, they were not being utilized. He emphasized that, despite some payments made for around 710,000 tablets, very few were actually delivered, and none were being used by students. He questioned whether any part of the country had seen the completion of a smart school, where the promise of technology-driven education could be realized.
A Missed Opportunity for Educational Advancement
The Deputy Minister’s remarks reflect the deep frustration with the NPP government’s failure to implement such a critical aspect of the educational system. He accused the former president of deceiving the public with grand promises that were never fulfilled. Dr. Apaak’s frustration is rooted in the fact that this initiative was seen as a key part of transforming education, especially under the Free SHS policy, which aims to provide students with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
“The one-student, one-tablet policy was introduced with much fanfare,” Dr. Apaak said. “Yet today, we are left with promises unfulfilled, and students across the country are still without the tools they were promised to help them succeed in this digital age.”
The Long Road to Technological Transformation
Despite the NPP’s promise to deliver technology-driven education, Ghana’s education system continues to face challenges in integrating modern technology effectively. The smart tablet initiative, which was expected to revolutionize how students learn, is just one example of the gap between policy and reality.
Dr. Apaak’s criticisms reflect broader concerns about how technology has been implemented in the education sector. For many students in remote areas, access to technology remains a challenge, even as the government seeks to promote digital literacy. The failure to deliver on the smart tablets initiative means that many students, particularly those in less accessible areas, have been left behind in the quest to make education more modern and inclusive.
Moreover, the lack of follow-through on the smart tablet promise raises questions about the government’s priorities and its commitment to transforming education. While the government has claimed success in some areas of education, the failure to fulfill such an important promise to students undermines the progress it seeks to make.
A Legacy of Broken Promises in Education
Dr. Apaak’s statement also references other unfulfilled promises, such as the now infamous promise of providing one chocolate drink or one bar of chocolate to students in the public school system. He contended that this was another example of the NPP’s empty promises during their tenure, with no tangible results to show for it.
According to Dr. Apaak, these broken promises have had serious consequences for the education system, leaving students and teachers alike frustrated by the lack of meaningful changes and improvements.
Moving Forward: A Call for Real Change
While the Akufo-Addo administration may have launched the smart tablet initiative with good intentions, its failure to deliver has left a lasting mark on its educational legacy. Dr. Apaak’s comments underscore the need for real change in how technology is implemented in the education sector.
The current administration will need to ensure that such promises are not repeated without the necessary infrastructure and support systems in place to back them up. The Ghana Smart Schools Project could still play a crucial role in the country’s educational future, but only if it is executed properly, with the appropriate resources, commitment, and follow-through.
Conclusion: A Vision for Technological Education
The failure to deliver smart tablets to students under the Free SHS policy marks a disappointing chapter in the country’s efforts to modernize education. As Ghana moves forward, it is essential for the government to learn from past mistakes and ensure that promises made to students are fulfilled. Technology in education remains a critical tool for advancing the country’s educational goals and empowering the next generation of learners.
In the coming years, Dr. Apaak and other stakeholders will likely continue to call for greater accountability and transparency in how the education system evolves. For now, it is clear that the smart tablets promise is one more in a long line of broken promises that students across the nation have had to endure.
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