Virtual learning: A positive approach

Dear Editor,

The government in recent times continues to provide access to basic and secondary education and has taken steps to expand infrastructure so that more students could attain formal education.

But it appears those in our rural communities are still lagging behind in terms of infrastructure development and access to modern teaching and learning methods.

Computers, radio and television have now been turned into virtual learning classrooms but some rural folks are yet to tap these opportunities.

As efforts are made to bridge the gap between the educated and the uneducated in our society, I wish to encourage radio and television stations to air programmes which include lessons on basic phonetics, how to read and comprehend the Queen’s language, how to write business proposals, computer lessons, among others.

In the era of fast-paced technology, one does not necessarily need to enter a physical classroom to acquire knowledge or higher education.

We have started well but the more we introduce advanced forms of modern virtual learning systems — using television as an effective tool, the better it would serve our nation.

It is high time we brought an abrupt end to promoting and patronising television and radio programmes that did not add value in our effort to completely wipe out illiteracy.

Ebenezer K. N. Baiden-Amissah,

P O Box LG 1254,

Legon, Accra.

Let’s phase out ‘borla taxis’

Dear Editor,

I am impressed with the Greater Accra Regional Minister’s directive to ban tricycles (aboboyaas or ‘borla taxis’) from using the motorway and other express routes in Accra.

Indeed, we have always observed the inconvenience these tricycles cause as they convey refuse from one destination to the other and I must say the ban has been long overdue.

When I first settled in Accra, I used to observe how waste management companies collected garbage at residential areas at least twice every week and were paid for their services. I do not know how we came to leave waste collection in the hands of tricycle operators.

‘Aboboyaas’ are not designed for waste collection and we must put a stop to them. But just when I thought the ban was to take effect on November 1, 2021, I was told it had been extended to February 2022 so the operators could be educated on the new directive.

While I am somehow disappointed, I believe the three months grace period is in order. As we wait for the new deadline, I urge city authorities to provide a better alternative to the ‘aboboyaas’ and encourage private waste management companies to take over the collection and transportation of rubbish in the city.

Mavis Obeng,

North Kaneshie,