The closure of some six learning institutions in
The Gambia has created another gap in the learning space in this country.
Non-compliance with regulations governing standards and quality required for the smooth operation of schools in the country has brought about this hard decision by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.
Though details of the bone of contention between the affected learning institutions and the NTA/Ministry have not been fully revealed, we can deduce from this hard action that something serious is wrong somewhere between the two factions.
“Following series of efforts by the National Training Authority to ensure that they comply with the regulations governing standards and quality required for their continued operation, and having failed to comply with such regulations, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, acting in its capacity as the line institution of the NTA and in accordance with the National Training Authority Act 2002 Part VIII Section 32 (a) has hereby served the following institutions with a closure order with immediate effect,” a statement by the NTA said as regards the closure.
Any time this situation occurs it gravely affects the students, who would be dislocated and put asunder only to be left with the struggle of trying to enroll at other learning institutions.
It is expected that in taking such a decision to close a school, the ministry would thoroughly consider the ramifications therein and look at the most appropriate measures to take so that the effects of such closures do not hit hard on our students. We want to believe such steps have been taken.
However, we hope and pray that authorities of the learning institutions comply with NTA regulations and get over the bone of contention so that our students are given a befitting learning environment.
There should be full and immediate commitment from the ministry to get the closed institutions back on their feet in the interest of the students caught up in this situation.
“We should have a great fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are, the signs of our ideas only, and not for things themselves.”
John Locke
