The
Gambia Teachers Union, in partnership with UNESCO /NATCOM and AAITG, on
Wednesday 5 October 2016, celebrated the World Teachers’ Day at a ceremony held
at Regional Education Directorate RED 1, Kanifing.
The
day was celebrated with the theme: “Valuing Teachers improving their status”.
In
delivering a statement on the occasion, the permanent secretary at the Ministry
of Basic and Secondary Education (MOBSE), Baboucarr Bouy, said the day was
adopted from the ILO/UNESCO recommendation made in 1996 to recognize the status
of teachers all over the world.
He
said consequently, through partnership with non-state actors like the Gambia
Teachers Union, governments around the world work with teachers organizations
to commemorate this day by critically looking at the contribution teachers make
in education systems in their respective countries.
“It
is therefore fitting for us in The Gambia to also join the rest of the world to
celebrate this important day in the lives of teachers,” he said.
He
also said that without being judgmental about the way teachers in The Gambia
are treated, or attempting to claim success in the manner their status is being
“improved” in the country, “one would only need to cast one mind some fifteen
years back to realize how much the status of teachers has improved in the
Gambian society during this period”.
PS
Bouy also indicated that from both the policies formulated by the government
and the activities undertaken by the education sector, the involvement of
teachers and their representatives is critical thus creating the space for
genuine partnership and participation.
PS
Bouy reiterated the ministry’s commitment to consolidating their long-standing
working relationship and the good practices shared in relation to “valuing our
teachers”.
“Without
doubt, this relationship can only go from strength to strength. As a sector we
will continue to prioritize the investment on teacher education and welfare
with a view to improving teachers’ quality in our education system,” he said.
Also
speaking, Mr Lamin Jarju, programme officer of UNESCO, read the joint message
from the Agency’s heads on the occasion
of the 50th Anniversary of the 1996 UNESCO/oil
recommendation concerning the
status of teachers, saying “On World Teachers’ Day we celebrate the limitless contributions made
by teachers around the world”.
He
said: “Day after day, year in and year out, these dedicated women and men guide
the accompanying students through the world of learning, helping them discover
and fulfill their potential.
“In
doing so, teachers not only help shape the individual future of millions of
children, they also help shape a better world for all.”
He
added that to achieve universal primary education by 2030, “we need 24.4
million more teachers”. The number is even greater for secondary education with
44.4 million secondary teachers needed, he said.
He
also stated that fifty years today, these principles were laid down in the
landmark 1966 UNESCO/ILO recommendation concerning the status of teachers,
which resulted in the first international-standard- setting instruments on
teachers.
“Since
that day,” he noted, “we have made tremendous progress in elevating the status
of teachers – but far more work remains to be done.
“We
dedicate World Teachers Day 2016 to celebrating this milestone by reaffirming
our commitment to the standards and aspiration it represents and by redoubling
our effort to achieve them.”
Speakers
on the occasion included the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Higher
Education, and the president of GTU.
