Mr. Desmond Kitsi, the Executive Director of the Genius IT Foundation, delivered a compelling address to the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Young Jewels International School, Ho, highlighting the significance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and the crucial need for cybersecurity awareness among parents and children. This engaging session was made possible through the fruitful collaboration between the Genius IT Foundation and Young Jewels International School under the Ghana Schools Online Project (GSOP).
The GSOP initiative, driven by the Genius IT Foundation, aims to empower schools with the tools and knowledge necessary to remain relevant in the digital age. This partnership has been instrumental in enabling Young Jewels International School to embrace technology skills development and seamlessly integrate it into their teaching and learning methods, thus setting the stage for this enlightening PTA engagement.
Mr. Kitsi commenced his address by elucidating the concept of STEM, emphasizing its integration of the core disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. He expanded on the importance of including the Arts, transforming STEM into STEAM, reflecting the evolving interdisciplinary nature of modern education.
With a conversational and engaging delivery, Mr. Kitsi passionately urged parents to proactively engage their children in technology education from an early age. He underscored the current employment landscape, which is increasingly shaped by high-end technologies, leading to higher rates of unemployment for those lacking tech skills and even affecting those with competence.
Highlighting the urgency of blending technology skills development with formal education, he conveyed that learning technology is no longer a luxury but an absolute necessity. Mr. Kitsi articulated the stark reality of automation reducing the workforce’s demand for manual labour, emphasizing the importance of early exposure to technology for children.
Mr. Kitsi encouraged parents to take immediate action to help their children acquire high-demand skills, emphasizing that expertise takes time to develop. He envisioned a future where well-prepared children could navigate life with a blend of relevant entrepreneurship skills, contributing as responsible citizens to both their families and their nations.
A significant portion of Mr. Kitsi’s address revolved around the paramount importance of cybersecurity. He warned that as children gain more exposure to technology, particularly the internet, they become vulnerable to various dangers. He advocated for parents to familiarize themselves with relevant technologies to better understand their children’s online activities, emphasizing that most parents lack this knowledge, resulting in unmonitored technology use.
He urged parents to actively engage with their children, educate them about social media and other relevant technologies, and assist them in creating responsible digital footprints to support their future career development.
Furthermore, Mr. Kitsi stressed the need for parents to create a conducive home environment for the safe and healthy use of technology. He cautioned against a blanket disapproval of technology use, as it could drive children to use these tools unsupervised, posing greater risks.
Concluding his address with a poignant message, Mr. Kitsi asserted that learning to control the use of technology is a form of cybersecurity for parents, vital for the safety of their children.
Mr. Kitsi expressed his gratitude to the Proprietor of Young Jewels International School for the opportunity to represent the Genius IT Foundation at their PTA stakeholder engagement. His address left smiles on the faces of school authorities and parents alike, inspiring them to take proactive steps towards a technology-empowered and secure future for their children.
