The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has developed an educational policy framework document, which would serve as a guideline for the implementation of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) programmes in schools. A curriculum for ICT training would therefore be put in place to make computer studies an integral part of basic and secondary education as well as teacher training. This was stated in an address read on behalf of Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Education, Science and Sports on Friday in Accra at the 5th annual Global Teenager Project Ghana (GTP) certification and awards ceremony organized by Rescue Mission Ghana, a non-governmental organization on the theme: The role of Global Teenager Project in the Ghana educational reform. Twice a year, a cluster of eight to twelve classes from different schools link up via E-mail to form Virtual Learning circles with the aim of connecting local and international learners and teachers, developing educational content, promoting cross cultural understanding and raising ICT literacy awareness in schools. "This would provide pupils and students at these levels some fundamental training in ICT before entry into tertiary institutions where further training in ICT can be pursued. "In terms of infrastructural deployment, every effort is being made to provide telephone facilities to all senior secondary schools and training colleges to enable them to have access to the internet" Professor Fobih said. He noted that training in ICT requires the formation of a critical mass of teachers who would be in a position to handle critical information in a knowledge-based world. He said economic growth in most developing countries have been induced by the flow of information adding" this realization has led the transformation of most economies into knowledge based ones. "Government is therefore planning to extend the national broadband backbone connectivity throughout the country as part of efforts to facilitate the development of infrastructure facilities that would enhance the access and study of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in schools. Professor Fobih said as part of its "computers in school" policy, ICT based tools, systems, educational technologies, software and courseware would be deployed within the educational system to improve the quality of education, science and sports at all levels. Mr Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, Minister of Communications announced that government has completed the first phase of the National Fibre Backbone Network which spanned from Accra through the southern part of the country to Tamale and ends at Ho. He said the completion of the project would ensure the provision of an affordable cost of bandwidth and an increase in the quality of service. Mr. Ebenezer Malcolm, Project Manager of the Global Teenager Project Ghana noted that one of the major challenges facing the expansion of the project was the provision of regular and reliable Internet access. He said the project started with four schools in Greater Accra region in 1999 but has now reached over 30 schools in Greater Accra, Central, Western, Ashanti and Volta regions. Mr. Malcolm appealed to individuals, private organizations and the Ministry of Education Science and Sports to Support the expansion of the project. He said the project has given basic training to 750 teachers and 840 students," adding 17 students and two teachers won an international award in a web development contest lat year." The overall best basic learning circle award went to Mr. Frank Fiamor of Morning Star School in Accra, the best Advanced circle learning award went to Mr. Saddick Boateng of T.I Ahmadiyya school in Kumasi whiles the best supporting learning circle school went to Aggrey Memorial Zion secondary school in Cape Coast. Fifteen other individuals were awarded for their dedication to the development of the project. Source: GNA