Across rural Ghana, students are being left behind not by a lack of talent, but by a lack of reliable connectivity, functional computers, and teacher support to use digital tools in everyday learning. While many households now access mobile phones, classroom-grade internet and shared computers are largely absent in basic schools outside urban centers. As a result, teachers rely on chalk-and-talk methods, students have limited exposure to digital content or skills, and motivation to stay in school erodes particularly for learners already at risk of dropping out.

This digital access gap amplifies existing inequities. Schools without connectivity cannot supplement lessons with interactive content, research tasks, or foundational digital literacy. Girls and vulnerable learners are disproportionately affected when the school day does not feel relevant to modern opportunities. Teachers, even when willing, lack training, structured time, and workable equipment to integrate ICT into literacy, numeracy, and science. Where devices have been donated in the past, maintenance, power protection, and safeguarding protocols were often missing, leading to idle labs, broken machines, or ad-hoc use that fails to improve learning.

Key drivers of the problem include:

Infrastructure limits: No affordable, stable broadband in target communities; mobile data is metered and unreliable for classroom use.
Equipment constraints: Few (or no) functional computers; lack of UPS/surge protection; insecure storage.
Capacity gaps: Limited teacher training in digital pedagogy; no coaching or curriculum-aligned materials.
Governance & sustainability gaps: Weak maintenance plans, unclear lab rules, and minimal PTA/school ownership.
Safeguarding risks: Inadequate policies for supervised, age-appropriate use of online resources.

The consequence is a self-reinforcing cycle: low engagement → absenteeism → weaker learning outcomes → higher dropout risk. Students reach the end of basic education without practical digital skills, reducing their chances of success in secondary school, vocational pathways, or the job market.

In short: Rural schools lack the connectivity, equipment, and capacity to make learning digital, engaging, and future-relevant. Without an integrated solution for reliable internet, shared labs, teacher training, safeguarding, and maintenance, children will continue to leave school unprepared for a digital world.

Stay in School: Bridging the Digital Divide

By Bridgeway Foundation

Stay in School: Bridging the Digital Divide

Starlink Pilot