By Abdou Mbye
The Curriculum Research Evaluation and Development Directorate (CREDD) under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) with support from Commonwealth of Learning (COL) organised a five-day workshop to develop a robust policy framework on Open Distance Learning (ODL). Held at the CREDD Hall in Kanifing, the event brought together seasoned educationists to judiciously develop a principal document that would enhance an enlightened ODL policy, premised on providing access to education for all Gambians.
Speaking at the opening of the event, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS) Programmes, Mr Adama Jimba Jobe affirmed that the distance learning programme was meant to provide accessible and quality education - formal and non-formal - to every Gambian.
“Colleagues we are gathered today with a sharp vision to shape the future of education and learning through innovative and accessible means. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace and things are happening beyond imagination and the way we acquire knowledge and skills must keep up with that,” DPS Jobe emphasised.
The Director of Curriculum, Mr. Momodou Jeng underscored the importance of the programme in helping out-of-school students with low passes in GABECE and WASSCE exams have the opportunity to attend remedial classes with seasoned tutors. This he said allows them to be reintegrated into the education system. Mr Jeng highlighted the growing significance of ODL in an increasingly digital world.
“As a ministry, we try to look at how to address out-of-school adolescents due to reasons such as cultural or financial barriers,” he stated.
Mr Jeng went on to inform that the first phase of the Second chance programme saw one thousand five hundred and ninety candidates enrolled some of whom are in the university and college while some are serving as facilitators in some the centres.
Dr. Herodt Murungi, a Namibian consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL), intimated that the event was meant to reflect on the guiding principle for the national ODL policy, as well as the issues that needs to be addressed and how to address them in the policy framework.
“I am very passionate about open schooling and most of the time we put much emphasis on higher education but higher education must be fed by basic education.We never have students dropping out of school from higher education but all students dropping out of school are from basic education.So if this issue is not addressed, we will never have students at higher education level,” Dr. Murungi posited.
