The Women Educators in Internet and Technology (WEITech), an initiative by DreamOval Foundation in collaboration with the Internet Society Foundation (ISF), to address underemployment and digital skill gaps among female teachers in Ghana, has been launched.
The two-year programme is designed with a focus on empowering 150 trained but unemployed female teachers in the Greater Accra Region.
WEITech aims to enhance employment opportunities and bridge critical skill gaps for women in education, through specialised training in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and educational technology.
In Ghana, slow absorption rates into the education sector and limited access to digital training have disproportionately impacted female educators. WEITech seeks to address these challenges by offering a comprehensive curriculum that combines soft skills, digital proficiency, and hands-on collaboration with education technology (Ed-Tech) organisations.
The programme is designed to equip participants with the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Executive Director of the DreamOval Foundation, Afua Oforiwaa Asiamah-Adjei, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative. “WEITech is a deliberate effort to provide practical skills and opportunities that will enhance women’s contributions to modern education. By addressing underemployment and aligning with national goals of integrating technology into teaching and learning, this program will create lasting impact for participants and the broader education sector,” she stated.
Participants, who will be selected from the Greater Accra Region, will join one of three cohorts, each comprising 50 educators over eight months. The programme offers participants training in digital literacy, instructional technology, and content creation.
A significant component involves working alongside Ed-Tech organisations to develop capstone projects, including the creation of marketable online learning programs.
The programme also addresses broader challenges facing the education sector. Female educators, who form a substantial proportion of the teaching workforce, often encounter barriers to continuous professional development, especially in adopting new technologies. By equipping these educators with digital tools and entrepreneurial skills, WEITech seeks to transform classrooms and communities, creating sustainable career paths for participants and improving learning outcomes across the region.
This initiative reflects the DreamOval Foundation’s commitment to leveraging technology for social change. Known for its innovative Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) -focused programs promoting digital inclusion, the Foundation continues to play a vital role in addressing inequalities in education and employment.
Senior Programme Officer, Internet Society Foundation, Jenn Beard, emphasised that the Internet Society Foundation, the key funding partner, recognised WEITech as a strategic alignment with its mission to advance digital inclusion globally.
“Our SCILLS programme continues to demonstrate the Internet’s transformative power in fostering access to better-paying jobs, supporting entrepreneurs, and improving educational outcomes. By expanding into three new countries and fostering collaboration through regional gatherings, we have seen how grantees drive meaningful change in their communities. Through adaptive digital literacy training, safe Internet practices, and partnerships with the business community, our projects are equipping individuals with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy.”
Women educators interested in applying must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being trained and currently unemployed, awaiting their posting or doing their National Service and must be residents in the Greater Accra Region. Applications are now open, and prospective participants can apply on the DreamOval Foundation’s website.
