Education ministries convene donor review meeting

In her speech, the Minister Fatou Lamin Faye stressed that the joint donors’ review exercise is unique in the sense that for the first time since the creation of the two ministries, a joint presentation was being made by staff of the two ministries on an issue that affects both of them.

According to Minister Faye, the aim of the joint presentation was not limited to the demonstration of the fact that education is supported to be seen as a continued vehicle from early childhood to tertiary level, but to also help them deepen their understanding of technical and vocational education as they are related to their ministries.

She noted that this aspect of the education system is confined to one educational domain and one level, while the wisdom of seeing it as a development need was completely overlooked.

The Basic and Secondary Education minister added that they would continue to come together every six months to jointly review their programmes and interventions in the sector, with a view to determining the progress, or otherwise, being made in meeting the objectives and targets they have set themselves.

She revealed that through coming together, they acknowledge the fact that over the past years, the sector has made considerable achievements through collaboration with both the in-country and international development partners.

“It is also evident from the assessment results that achieving quality education continues to be a challenge,” Minister Faye said.

She thanked their development partners for the role they are playing in support of The Gambia’s education sector.

The Minister of Higher Education, Dr Abubacarr Senghore, welcomed the joint donors’ review of the education sector, which is premised on sound proactive cooperation and multilateral partnership.

Minister Senghore said in the programme for accelerated growth and employment, PAGE 2012-2015, the Ministry of Higher Education prioritized the establishment of systems and structures in the areas related to higher education, research, science and technology.

According to him, through the support of the additional financing of the World Bank, the ministry developed policies on national science, technology and innovation and tertiary and higher education, as well as the development of the accreditation and quality assurance bill and a bill on tertiary and higher education through the same funding.

The Higher Education minister added that with the continued collaboration, The Gambia would continue to excel in education, health and agriculture.

He thanked the World Bank for the continued support to the Gambia government, and commended other partners for supporting education in one way or the other.

The UNICEF representative, Rupert Leighton, thanked the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for organizing the joint donors’ review and supervision mission.

He said the forum provided an opportunity to learn more about the progress in the implementation of the education sector strategic plan, and the specific projects that are supported by donors and development partners.

Mr Leighton added that UNICEF is committed to providing as much support as possible to the ministry and would be ready at all times to support and accompany them in working to achieve targets as set out in the MTP and READ.

The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mod K. Ceesay, thanked the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for organizing such an event, saying it would go a long way in boosting the development of the education sector in the country.

He said the Gambia government has made a lot of efforts and progress in the education sector.

PS Ceesay assured MoBSE that his ministry would continue to collaborate with and support the education sector.