Minister
of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) has assured the public of her
ministry’s All-Inclusive Policy objective where children with special needs are
at the center of her ministry’s plans in response to the SDG 4, which talks
about an accessible, equitable and all inclusive quality education for all.
Minister
Claudiana Cole made this statement on Sunday evening following an executive
decision to close all schools in The Gambia in a bid to contain the spread of
the covid-19.
Since
the closure of schools a week ago, Minister Cole noted, it is important for her
ministry to update the public about her ministry’s commitment in ensuring that
learning continues and that children are engaged in their homes during this
emergency period.
“Since
the current situation does not encourage gatherings of any form, due to the
coronavirus pandemic, my ministry has entered into agreement with various
partners and media houses throughout the country,” Minister Cole revealed.
According
to Minister Cole, all media institutions including MoBSE TV called (The Gambia
Education TV) are currently broadcasting lessons intended for all levels of
Basic and Secondary Education with a particular focus on areas of core subjects
that are found to be challenging for students based on the chief examiner’s
report.
Minister
Cole and her ministry strongly believe that using media of all forms to
broadcast lessons would help mitigate the impact of the 72 contact hours that
would be lost within the next 15 school days.
She
emphasised that her ministry’s initiative on the current situation is not in
any way intended to replace the national curriculum delivery plan but rather a
supplementary approach.
According
to MoBSE minister, as soon as schools resume operation they will strictly
follow the prescribed school curriculum coverage.
Madam
Cole explained that this emergency response strategy is meant to provide an
alternative for parents to engage and support their children while they are at
home during this critical period.
She
expressed her ministry’s happiness to various schools for their swift response
to the current situation by creating online platforms in the forms that would
keep them in contact with their students.
At
this critical period she said, her ministry is soliciting the support and
expertise from the public and private entities in the realisation of this noble
initiative.
Minister
Cole extended her Ministry’s profound gratitude to all those patriotic Gambians
who are volunteering to help her teachers and staff for working round the clock
despite the risk involved, to have the job done.
“I
would encourage everyone to follow the health precautions as advised by the
Ministry of Health, WHO and others to stay safe from this virus and bless our
beloved country, The Gambia,” Minister Claudiana Cole concluded.
