Gambian teachers recently joined the rest of the world to
celebrate World Teachers Day at a ceremony held at the Gambia College, Brikama
Campus.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Take a stand for teachers”.
Speaking on the occasion, head of School of Education at the Gambia College, Madam Isatou Ndow, said there cannot be quality education without competent and motivated teachers.
Ndow revealed that the Gambia College provides pre-service teacher training course and trains to build their capacities in their quest for quality education.
Ms Ndow further revealed that the Gambia College has also expanded programmes such as courses for Higher Teachers, Early Childhood and Primary Teachers certificates.
She stated that the Gambia College expanded their programmes because there are lots of teachers moving from Lower Basic Schools and Upper Basic Schools, adding that this was why the Gambia College decided to introduce High er Teachers Certificate to stop teachers moving from Lower Basic Schools to Upper Basic Schools.
Muhammed Jeng, of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), said teaching was a dumping sector before, but teachers are now well motivated and receive attractive salaries.
Jeng challenged teachers to always upgrade and improve themselves, adding that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education always provides training for them to improve their teaching skills.
Matarr Baldeh, of Education for All at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, said quality education needs quality teachers, adding that teachers are the backbone of education.
Baldeh also challenged the teachers and assured them of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education’s readiness to train teachers to acquire more teaching skills.
For his part, Pa Daniel Mendy, of Gambia Teachers Union, commended the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and stakeholders for their support to teachers.
