Editorial,


Gambians will this Thursday converge at the  Arch 22 in Banjul to celebrate 16 years of the birth of a new nation characterised by rapid socio-economic transformation. As this most important day draws near, we deem it fundamental to refresh our memories on the significant achievements registered by the Jammeh administration, particularly in the area of provision of basic social amenities such as education, health, public utilities and many others, so that people can realise the importance of celebrating the July 22nd Revolution.

We begin by highlighting the significant strives made in education. Before the intervention of the current leadership, less than 50% of Gambian children were going to school. In addition to the very few number of schools, the education of Gambian children was severely hampered by the lack of relevant textbooks and other resource materials. However, the present leadership, realising that without a coherent and consistent education and training policy and strategy, the objectives of Vision 2020 would not be attained, formulated a new education policy and action plan that laid great emphasis on basic education; increasing access and quality; expansion of senior secondary education to significantly improve transition rates; closing the gender gap in education; skills training; development of scientific and technological competencies;  and strengthening of higher education through the creation of a national university.

In a bid to ensure standards of quality, curricula have been significantly revised, and greater emphasis placed on a school-based system of assessment so as to make learning more relevant to the needs of the children. Teacher training was also targeted for improvement and expansion to enhance teaching quality and improve the pupil-teacher ratio. The Standards and Quality Assurance Directorate was also set up to monitor compliance with government policy, standards and regulations, teacher quality and performance, as well as learning achievement benchmarks.

Above all, the government policy for higher education led to the development of a comprehensive programme for a training authority to create the human resource base needed to supply the scientific, technological and vocational skills required in the new growth nodes of the economy. It placed emphasis on consolidating and expanding vocational and technical training facilities, paying special attention to information technology, commerce and management training. The policy also created the first ever university in the country -the University of The Gambia. The university is presently running degree programmes in education, nursing and health sciences, medicine, sciences arts etc.

Our achievements in the education sector have been hailed by many. Ours is one of only four African countries considered by the World Bank to be "on track" in moving towards universal primary education by 2015; it is also classified among the "best performers" in providing access. we are also among the 18 African countries that are implementing the World Bank Education for All fast-track initiative.  Such a huge success is no magic; only a committed leadership ensures that the necessary attention and resources are allocated to education.

What is important, as the president himself has always been saying, is that there should be a change of attitude on the part of the populace, so that, collectively, we can realise our Silicon Valley dream. The government is doing all it can to bring development to the doorsteps of the people. It is left to the citizenry to maximise the opportunities that have been provided.