The World Bank last Friday presented the 2012 Jit Gill Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service to Baboucarr Bouy, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, during the Bank’s Public Sector Day held in Washington, a media release from the World Bank Office in Dakar announced.

Being the first Gambian and second African recipient, the memorial award for Outstanding Public Service was established by the World Bank in 2004, following the death of the bank’s staff Jit Gill, a dedicated leader in public sector governance and integrity.

The recipients of the award, the result of nominations made by World Bank staff, are selected for having a sustained track record of public service; proven leadership and innovation that has enhanced public service effectiveness; demonstrated high standards of professional ethics; dedication and client orientation; and for having inspired and influenced public servants in promoting honesty, integrity and accountability in public service.

Speaking at the ceremony, Otaviano Canuto, WB vice president for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) said PS Bouy’s efforts to improve the quality of education in The Gambia are the perfect examples of good governance and public sector reform at work, adding; “Your leadership, commitment and integrity are essential to furthering development and poverty reduction.”

In his acceptance speech, PS Bouy said, “I accept this award with great humility. As the first Gambian recipient, I want to encourage all my countrymen in the public service because it is not beyond their reach to have a second, third or even fourth Gambian winner. What it really takes is hard work, ingenuity, dedication and commitment to one’s duties.”

Colin Bruce, the director of Strategy and Operations for the Africa Region of the World Bank said "ultimately it is institutions and policies that determine a country's future, but also the personal dedication of the leaders and Bouy exemplifies that"

Career and activities

PS Bouy started working in the education sector in the 80s when he began as an unqualified teacher, having finalised his studies and risen up the ladder since then.

His achievements include finding solutions as a result of analysis and evidence-based research; the introduction of a performance management system with standards for staff --from education officers to classroom teachers; conditional cash transfers to teachers of religious schools to allow their pupils to benefit from numeracy and literacy courses; strong emphasis on measuring learning with a focused attention on reading fluency; and creating a fund with his own savings together with his colleagues to assist poor families in need to send their children to school.