Parliament has approved a tax waiver of €1.5 million for the supply and installation of integrated e-learning laboratories in Senior High Schools. This decision is part of an €11.5 million commercial contract between the government and Televic Group N.V. for the project’s second phase, targeted at enhancing learning through ICT integration.
The project aims at integrating ICT in education to support, and enhance the delivery of education. Chairman of the Finance Committee and Okaikwei Central legislator Patrick Yaw Boamah, recommended the approval, highlighting the educational and socio-economic benefits.
“The benefits of the educational sector, how the educational sector has started to gain as well as the immense socio-economic benefits to be derived, the committee is satisfied that the request is in the right direction,” stated Boamah. “The committee, therefore, recommends to the House for the adoption of this report and approve the request as earlier stated for the sum of €1,517,040 for the supply and installation of integrated e-learning laboratories in senior high schools.”
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, leader of the Minority in parliament supported the waiver, adding that while the opposition will generally oppose tax waivers, this case is justified due to its support and benefit to the education sector.
“Mr. Speaker, often the impression is created that we are against tax waivers. Yes, we are against the principles of waiving taxes, but certain tax waiving and certain taxes are important. Mr Speaker, these are schools where the country is buying ICT equipment such as laptops, and desktop computers to assist in learning.”
