The minister for Higher Education, Professor Pierre Gomez, made this disclosure during the handing over of the ‘UEG Gambia Implementation Plan Report at a ceremony held on Monday at the MoHERST Conference Hall in Bijilo.
The Implementation Plan Report was handed to the minister by the members of the Committee on the Development of the Implementation Plan for The Gambia College transformation into University of Education after four months of deliberations and consultations.
The establishment of the UEG, officials said, was designed to ensure the provision of quality and relevant teacher education programmes and the training of world-class teachers and educators in The Gambia, who will serve the entire education sector (from ECD to institutions of higher learning).
This, they added, is to create opportunities to address challenges around quality of teachers and education professionals and the prevailing teacher shortages and related competency gaps.
It is also expected to widen access to education related programmes and strengthen The Gambia’s teacher education training programmes.
Speaking further, Prof. Gomez, said: “The transformation of the Management Development Institute (MDI) into University of Civil Service and The Gambia College into the University of Education will simultaneously go with human capacity building for the university personnel to effectively undertake their duties.”
He thanked the committee for giving back to the nation without requesting any financial payment, adding: “The committee decided to use its own resources to carry out the assignment given to them. People should believe in themselves as Africans can solve African problems.”
Dr. Yusupha Touray, permanent secretary at MoHERST, welcomed the idea saying: “Education can only succeed when we have the right human capital in place.”
Alieu Badara Senghore, the chairman of the committee on the Development of the Implementation Plan for Gambia College Transformation into University of Education, said: “The committee members have sentimental attachment to the Gambia College and want to see the transformation of the College into a higher height.”
This task, he added, was given to them following the formation of the committee, further claiming: “We carry out the task with involving other key stakeholders including related education ministries and other educational institutions.”
Aboubacarr Jallow, the Principal of The Gambia College, stated that teacher education is the most significant component of development in society.
He commended the late Vice President and former Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Alieu Badara Joof for laying the foundation in which he said they are proud to continue with the development and knowledge improvements.
