Ghanaian teacher's hardwork gets his rural school brand new computers, Microsoft assistance

For his hardwork and commitment in teaching Information and Communication Technology at the Betenase M/A Junior High School in the southern Ghana town of Sekyedumase, without a single Computer, Richard Appiah Akoto, has attracted help in forms of computer systems to the rural school.

He got social media attention in February 2018 after a picture of him sketching out a mock-up of a Microsoft Word screen in coloured chalk on his classroom blackboard.

Computer donation to the school

According to CNN, NIIT Ghana, a computer training school in Ghana donated five desktop computers to the school while the teacher got books and a laptop. Also Amirah Alharthi, a PhD student at the University of Leeds, UK sent Akoto a laptop "as a small gift to his students."

ALSO READ: This inspiring Ghanaian teacher who found a way to teach Ms Word without a computer gets help from Microsoft

Alharthi told CNN that "I always understand from the teachings of Islam that useful knowledge is crucial for the benefit of the self and humanity."

Apart from all these, Microsoft has pledged to work Richard Akoto through a local partner in Ghana to provide device and software support required for his students at the Betenase Municipal Assembly Junior High School in the town of Sekyedomase in rural Ghana.

He will also gain access to the Microsoft Certified Educator Program (MCE) for professional development, so he can nurture his passion for teaching and build rich, custom learning experiences for his students.

Microsoft's words on Richard Akoto's commitment and passion for teaching

Anthony Salcito, Vice President, Worldwide Education at Microsoft, praised him for overcoming major obstacles to help his students. “Your work has really inspired the world. It really shows the amazing innovation and commitment and passion that teachers have for helping their students get ready for the future,” he said.

Richard Akoto at the 2018 Microsoft Education Exchange

In an interview at the just concluded 2018 Microsoft Education Exchange (E2) in Singapore, Akoto, who received a long ovation when he appeared on stage said: “My students have some knowledge about computers, but they don’t know how to actually operate one.”

But showing his class of 47 teenagers how to use a PC posed a fundamental problem for Richard as the school’s only computer and his own personal laptop were both broken.

"I have been doing this every time the lesson I’m teaching demands it. I’ve drawn monitors, system units, keyboards, a mouse, a formatting toolbar, a drawing toolbar, and so on.

"The students were okay with that. They are used to me doing everything on the board for them. When I did this, it was nothing new or strange for them,' Akoto said at the Educators Exchange conference.

In a Facebook post, Akoto expressed his joy by thanking those that supported the school with donations so far. “God bless you all,” he posted.