Parliament has approved a €1.5 million tax waiver for the supply and installation of integrated e-learning laboratories in Senior High Schools nationwide.

This tax exemption is part of an €11.5 million commercial contract between the government and Televic Group N.V., marking the second phase of a project focused on enhancing ICT integration in education.

The initiative aims to support, enhance, and optimise the delivery of educational content through the integration of ICT.

The Finance Committee, led by Okaikwei Central legislator Patrick Yaw Boamah, strongly endorsed the approval, citing its considerable benefits to both the educational sector and the broader socio-economic landscape.

"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," said Mr. 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."

Supporting the waiver, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson acknowledged the general opposition to tax waivers but highlighted the importance of this specific case.

"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," Dr. Forson noted.