By Fatoumata Joof
The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez has called for a holistic review of the curriculum to align it with the current and future demands of the country’s education system. He said the curriculum must be dynamic and continually evolving to meet current and future demands. “This includes incorporating innovative teaching methods, embracing technology, and fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. This forward-thinking approach will enable us produce not just teachers but transformative educators who can adapt to the evolving needs of society”.
The Minister made these remarks at the opening of a two-day validation workshop by his ministry and the education stakeholders, of the report on the transformation of the Gambia College into a University of Education. Led by the Gambia College Transformation Committee (GCTC), the meeting afforded the stakeholders the opportunity to review the draft transformation roadmap aimed to ensure the production of quality teachers and specialists in various fields of education.
Professor Pierre Gomez extended appreciation to the taskforce for coming up with the report.
He affirmed that the plan is to transfer all other schools of Gambia College to the University of The Gambia, except for the School of Education, which he said will find its new home in the transformed Gambia College. Equally, the separation, he said, will enable a focused and specialised approach to teacher education, fostering an environment conducive to producing high-calibre educators and specialists in various fields of education.
“As we embark on this transformational journey, our focus is driven by a steadfast dedication to fostering quality education, creating robust career pathways for teachers, and ensuring their training is elevated to degree levels.This transformational agenda is not merely about upgrading an institution; it is about elevating the education standards in The Gambia. We aim to increase equitable access to tertiary and higher education, ensuring that every Gambian can receive a world-class education,” Minister Gomez elucidated.
Representing the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), Mr. Jimba Jobe, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Programmes) at MoBSE also highlighted the importance of the report in trying to address quality education in the system. “If we are able to graduate teachers from the core areas, we can salvage this country,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Gambia College Governing Council, Dr. Alieu Badara Senghore reminded that The Gambia College was established many years ago with the vision of contributing to the development of The Gambia by providing quality middle-level training and skills development for frontline workers in the education, agriculture and health sectors of the economy. Those frontline personnel, he indicated, are now trained in The Gambia and specifically at The Gambia College.
He assured the Ministry, of the Governing Council and the College management’s commitment to the vision of working diligently to produce a university that will train quality teachers who will groom the next generation of Gambians.
The Coordinator of MRC Holland Foundation, Dr. Henriette Sonko expressed good impressions over the boldness to transform the education system in The Gambia. ''If you want to change something, you must start with friction and I am glad that the friction there is transforming The Gambia College into a University of Education.”