Synergy
study between technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), literacy
and non-formal education and information and communication technology was last
Tuesday validated at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNa) conference hall in
Bakau. UNESCO funded the validation.
Deputy
permanent secretary at the ministry of basic and secondary education Adama
Jimba Jobe said the growing number of young people without special skills and
access to work and employment is vulnerable to any form of radicalization.
He
said young people under 24 years represents 64% of Gambia’s population and
bears a disproportionate share of unemployment (70%) due to their lack of
skills or a mismatch between skills they possess and those required by the
labour market.
Mr. Jobe said as a result of this, young
people are seeking alternative livelihoods, posing threat to potential
radicalization and promoting irregular migration. “Most school leavers are driven out by the
rigidity of the environment and the lack of economic opportunities,” he
emphasized.
He
further stated that challenges such as unemployment, illegal migration, quality
of teacher training, critical shortage of technical teachers, the lack of
material and financial resources and the lack of a link between TVET training
and labour market need technological changes.
“I
am happy to say that The Gambia education policy 2016-2020 has made a policy
pronouncement on Non-Formal Education (NFE). The program is relevant and
comprehensive which will be executed including distance education using modern
technological media focused on literacy, numeracy as well as life and
livelihood skills.”
He
also revealed that the policy laid emphasis on the learner’s interest, which
will be sustained through the integration of income generation and innovation
programmers such as ICT, introduction of the standardized Quranic scripts in
literacy as an option and the creation of a literate environment for the
neo-literates.
He
pointed out that the Ministry responsible for ICTs has taken significant
strides in creating the conducive environment for sector player to operate and
with communication infrastructure policy, plans and strategies. “Also, it
encompasses plans of action such as the e-government and other e-strategy.”
He
noted that there would be increased private participation in the provision and
financing of training and skills development especially of the rural youth. “At
the dawn of the 21st century, in a world where knowledge truly is power and
literacy is the skill that unlocks the gates of opportunity and success, we all
have a responsibility as educators and citizens to instill in our society and
children to give them the chance to fulfill their dreams,” PS Jobe stated.
Secretary
General of NATCOM, Ousman Senghore said the study of synergy between TVET,
literacy and non-formal education and information and communication
technologies in The Gambia is a deliberate attempt to explore alternative means
to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Ensure
inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all).
He
said the objective is to promote and implement strategies at all levels
(strategic, technical and operational) and to include all stakeholders in a participatory
and inclusive approach.
He
said the validated document is the result of an extensive consultation of all
relevant stakeholders in The Gambia with the view to promoting an education and
technical training system linked to inform, and communication technologies in
phases with the requirements of economic and social development; equitable,
effective, efficient, implementing synergy between three sub-sectors, and based
on participatory and inclusive governance integrating all stakeholders.