The Impact of the Digital Literacy Initiative (DLI) Coding Club Pilot at Gbegbeyise Basic School
As the digital age transforms every aspect of modern life, initiatives that equip young learners with essential technology skills are more vital than ever. Recognizing this need, the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH), in collaboration with Swisscontact, piloted the Digital Literacy Initiative (DLI) Coding Club at the Gbegbeyise Basic School. This program not only introduced students to coding but also empowered teachers, fostered innovation, and set a precedent for integrating technology into education in Ghana.
This article delves into the highlights of the Coding Club pilot, covering its successful launch, enriching activities, and memorable closing ceremony, along with the next steps to scale this transformative initiative.
The Launch: Igniting the Spark of Digital Literacy
The Coding Club pilot was launched on 24th October 2024 at the Gbegbeyise Basic School. The event was a collaborative celebration, featuring representatives from IT Consortium, TECHAiDE, World Vision Ghana, Nasco Feeding Minds and the Ablekuma West Municipal. The vibrant ceremony introduced 110 students to the world of coding through an engaging 2-hour session using Scratch.
The launch aimed to inspire both students and educators to embrace technology as a tool for learning and problem-solving. Opinion leaders in the Municipal were briefed on the program’s vision of fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity among Ghana’s youth.
This was not the first collaboration between IIPGH and the Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly. Earlier this year, IIPGH organized a Coding Caravan to commemorate International Girls in ICT Day and helping students from the municipality prepare for the Girls in ICT Competition organized by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation.
Train-the-Trainer Workshop: Building Teacher Capacity
An integral part of the pilot’s success was a 3-day Train-the-Trainer workshop organized for 19 teachers from the municipality. This training, conducted by IIPGH, aimed to prepare teachers to adopt and sustain the Coding Club in their respective schools after the initial active involvement of IIPGH tutors.
During the pilot’s Coding sessions, some of these teachers actively participated and observed lessons, assisted and gained practical knowledge on facilitating coding sessions independently. This hands-on approach ensured that the teachers were well-equipped to carry forward the initiative in their schools.
Engaging Activities During the Pilot Phase
From 4th to 29th November 2024, the Coding Club held 12 engaging sessions, conducted three times a week. The curriculum emphasized project-based learning, where students developed animations, games, and interactive stories that addressed social issues. The participating schools included:
- Gbegbeyise Basic School
- Gbegbeyise Methodist Basic School
- Mpoasei Methodist Basic School
- Star of the Sea R/C School
- St. Augustine’s Basic School
The sessions were designed to develop foundational digital skills, enhance problem-solving abilities, and encourage collaboration among students. The teachers’ involvement ensured that they gained insights into delivering coding education effectively.
The Closing Ceremony
The pilot phase culminated in a memorable closing ceremony on 29th November 2024, held at Gbegbeyise Basic School. The event celebrated creativity, learning, and achievement.
Competition Highlights:
In the final week, students participated in a competition to develop social impact projects. Out of all participants, 10 students advanced to a second competition held on the closing day. These finalists showcased their projects, which were evaluated based on creativity, technical execution, and social relevance. The top three students were awarded laptops and cash prizes, recognizing their exceptional efforts.
It was notable that out of the 10 finalists, 6 were girls, and among the top three winners, 1 was a girl – evidence of IIPGH’s success in encouraging more girls to pursue STEM education.
Celebrating Achievements:
The closing ceremony was attended by the Municipal Education Director, Dir. Christian Julius Aforlah; Deputy Director Monitoring and Supervision, Mr. Ali Abdulai, Municipal ICT Coordinator, Bernice Naa Ajeley Adjei, the acting Executive Director of IIPGH, Mr. Richard Kafui Amanfu and the Director of Administration of IIPGH, Mrs. Gifty Mottey alongside trained teachers, students, and the IIPGH team.
During the ceremony, Mr. Amanfu, Mrs. Gifty Mottey and Dir. Aforlah delivered motivational speeches, encouraging the students to pursue technology-driven careers and urging the teachers to sustain the Coding Club in their schools. All participating students and the trained teachers were acknowledged for their pivotal role in the program.
Next Steps: Scaling the Coding Club Initiative
The success of the pilot has laid a strong foundation for expanding the Coding Club initiative. Starting in January 2025, the program will be scaled to four selected schools:
- Gbegbeyise Basic School (Greater Accra Region)
- Nsawam M/A Basic School (Eastern Region)
- Ho Dome RC Basic School (Volta Region)
- Ada Technical School (Greater Accra Region)
This expanded phase will incorporate digital entrepreneurship learning through the TVET school, equipping participants with skills to prepare them for the ICT industry. The project will be run for the next four years, empowering students across multiple regions.
A Call to Action
The Coding Club pilot at Gbegbeyise Basic School demonstrated the transformative potential of technology education. By combining student engagement, teacher empowerment, and collaborative partnerships, this initiative has created a model for addressing Ghana’s digital literacy challenges.
As IIPGH scales this initiative, we invite individuals, organizations, and stakeholders to join us in bringing the Coding Club to every corner of Ghana. Together, we can empower young minds, bridge the digital divide, and prepare the next generation for a technology-driven future.
For more information or to support this initiative, please email IIPGH on info@iipgh.org or call 0541001965.
The Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana (IIPGH) is a professional association made up of professionals in various domains of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) practice. Some services offered include Digital Skills Education, ICT Consultancy and Solutions for Business, Curriculum Reviews for Educational Institutions, IT Human Resource Provision, among others. Visit our website – https://iipgh.org/ to learn more.
Author: Deborah Ofori-Dartey
The writer is the Digital Skills Training Supervisor at the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana with about 5 years of experience engaging children ages 6 years – 15 years in Creative Coding Experiences.
For comments, contact deborah.dartey@iipgh.org or info@iipgh.org
