The Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA), UNESCO Category II, University of Cape Coast on Friday, January 24 joined the University Junior High School (UJHS) to observe the 2025 International Day of Education.
As part of the celebration, several activities were organized, including educating and raising awareness among students about the use and significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The activities also included donating exercise books to support teaching and learning.
In December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared January 24th as the International Day of Education to emphasize the essential role education plays in promoting peace and development, with the day being observed annually.
Speaking to ATLFMNEWS at this year’s celebration at the University Junior High School, the Director-General of IEPA, UNESCO category II, UCC, Professor Michael Boakye-Yiadom said the IEPA has the culture of spending time every year during the International Day of Education with an educational institution.
Two years ago, IEPA commemorated the day with University Practice Senior High School in Cape Coast while that of 2024 was spent with the Cape Coast School for the Blind and the Deaf.
Explaining the choice of school for the 2025 commemoration of the International Day of Education, Prof. Boakye-Yiadom said the aim is to support the school and to promote UNESCO values which includes integrity, respect for diversity and professionalism.
He added it is also to promote UNESCO’s core competences, which are accountability, communication, teamwork, innovation, resource focus, planning and organizing, and knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
“At the end of the day, as IEPA, one of our core mandates is to promote the SDG4 in Ghana and West Africa, and charity begins at home. So, we are going to be supporting the University Junior High School to promote quality teaching and learning. We believe it is very timely.”
Prof. Micheal Boakye Yiadom expressed hope that the school starts a UNESCO club to promote the UNESCO values and UNESCO competences among the students.
Theme
Touching on this year’s theme, “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” Prof. Boakye-Yiadom noted that it is particularly timely, given the need to safeguard human agency in the face of advancing AI.
He especially cited human-to-human communication as one that must not be lost in the world of AI.
“We must preserve human agency in the midst of promoting AI. So, for us, the theme is very timely, not only for educators, but for politicians, for businessmen and women, for everybody who lives on this earth. Because we are embracing AI, we must also ensure that we preserve human agency and human dignity.”
Lessons Learned
Prof Boakye-Yiadom also shared lessons earned from inclusivity citing their work with the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind as impactful and highlighting the importance of continued relationships with the students.
He underscored the need for all to learn sign language to communicate effectively with those who need it.
IEPA’S Journey and Upcoming Anniversary
The Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. Established in 1975 by UNESCO and the Ghanaian government, IEPA has served as a key institution in education planning and administration in the region. In addition to its 50th anniversary as an institute, IEPA is also marking its 5th year as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre, a designation it received in November 2020.
To commemorate these milestones, IEPA will embark on a year-long series of activities, starting with a launch event planned for February. This year of celebration will include a thorough self-evaluation, an opportunity to reflect on the impact it has made over the past 50 years as IEPA, and to showcase its transformation into the IEPA-UNESCO Centre.
A key focus of these activities will be on contemporary educational issues, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.
Appreciation
On her part, the Headteacher of University Junior High School, South Campus, Mrs. Eleanor Afua Onyame expressed her satisfaction to IEPA for the honor done the school.
She expressed strong approval of the introduction of AI education for children, emphasizing its importance in helping them navigate the vast amount of information available today.
Mrs. Onyame believes that teaching children when and how to use AI responsibly is crucial, empowering them to discern reliable information.
“So it goes to tell you that the education has gone down well, what I would want to see going forward, is when I go to the class, I’ll be able to see that they are using these tools well” she said.
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Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
