By Buertey Francis BORYOR
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)-MindCET EdTech Innovation Centre and Board of Directors member-Centre for Educational Technology in Israel, Avi Warshavski, has called for a fundamental shift in Ghana’s education system – from the traditional models, rooted in stability and rote-learning, to more interactive and technological approaches that stimulate creativity and innovation.
He contends that traditional education models fail to equip students with the critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability skills needed to thrive in a volatile, uncertain world, necessitating an overhaul.
“Ghana’s education sector is struggling with infrastructure deficit, access and participation. Other challenges include a fragmented and overloaded curriculum and incoherent administrative control.
Technology can be leveraged to solve some of the challenges bedevilling the sector. Online learning and remote management and monitoring technologies can be leveraged by countries like Ghana to resolve some challenges in the sector,’ he elaborated.
He added that addressing these challenges requires fostering learner agency, embracing technology and innovation, and promoting equity and inclusivity to ensure all learners have access to quality education.
Moreover, he said, startups in the EdTech sector are uniquely positioned to drive this educational transformation by introducing innovative learning tools, fostering collaborative networks and scaling effective practices to reach a broader audience.
The leading global speaker on the future of learning – Mr. Warshavski – said this while delivering a lecture hosted by the Embassy of Israel in partnership with the Israeli Economic and Trade Mission to Ghana, held at the Israeli Ambassador’s residence in Accra, July 10, 2024. It was on theme ‘Changing Education’s Mindset: Education in an Era of Uncertainty’.
This lecture aims to address the need for a fundamental shift in education, emphasising the development of learner agency and crucial role of start-ups in this transformation. Additionally, it sought to explore global uncertainty and rapid changes affecting educational systems and identify the challenges and opportunities presented by this era of unpredictability.
The lecture – attended by educators and school administrators, educational policymakers, EdTech entrepreneurs and startup founders as well as researchers and academics in the country’s education sector – further highlights strategies and practices that promote autonomy, critical thinking and adaptability among students, while examining how start-ups can drive innovation and support the transformation of educational systems.
The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Shlomit Sufa, in her welcome remarks at the event noted that the country’s chances of success in the education sector depend on its ability to boldly adapt to changes in what she described as an uncertain and rapidly evolving world.
“We are in an ever fast-changing environment, and we must embrace this reality. We must understand how to work with new technologies and learn how to develop same in order not to be left behind,” she added.
While calling for greater collaboration between the two nations for mutual benefit in the sector, Ms. Sufa noted that Israel has been supporting technological development and technological education in the country through setting up fully furnished ICT classrooms in the last couple of years.
She added that the Embassy, through the seminar, hopes to increase awareness among participants – to gain deeper understanding of the impact from uncertainty on education and the need for a mindset shift, while providing a platform for connecting, collaborating and sharing ideas on EdTech solutions beneficial for the country’s education system.
About EdTech in Israel
The EdTech industry’s current market size is valued at US$254.80billion worldwide and experts predict that it will reach US$605.40billion by 2027. Globally, Israel continues to have a tremendous impact on global innovation in all sectors – leading innovation in industries such as cybersecurity, digital health and fintech.
About MindCET
MindCET plays a central role in all major world EdTech forums, working in partnership with major universities, research and development (R&Ds) and tech companies in order to explore, strengthen and develop innovative and relevant solutions to meet needs of the new generations.
