One of the seven outstanding teachers would will be recognised as the National Teacher Award winner and will receive an additional D50,000 during the announcement on 15 February 2024.
According to the NAMIE Foundation, the award serves as a testament to the teachers’ dedication and commitment to shaping the minds of future generations, while promoting collaboration among key education stakeholders through ‘The Best Teacher Prize’ initiative.
During a press briefing on 5 January 2024 at the MoBSE head office in Banjul, Mr Omar J. Ndure, the chairman of the National Regional Judges, highlighted the key functions of the event and how it was done under a robust applications/nominations and selection process, which he said, could not have been possible without the help of MoBSE and GTU in identifying the shortlisted and selected persons equitably.
“We believe in ensuring fairness, objectivity, and thoroughness at every stage of the selection process,” he said.
He revealed that there were 68 applications, and after a thorough evaluation process based on various criteria, 29 individuals were shortlisted. Finally, 7 winners were chosen using another equally careful evaluation method that took into account gender and region.
The lucky winners; six men and one woman from regions one to six.
They are: Mazar Shariff Ahmad of Nazir Ahmadiyya Muslim Senior Secondary School in Region 6; Fatou K. Kebbeh of Sare Malaw Lower Basic Cycle School in Region 5; Mo Taalah Boye of Saruja Lower Basic School in Region 5; Muhammed Moustapha Jagne of Bureng Upper and Senior Secondary School in Region 4; Saikou Jallow of Kerewan Lower Basic School in Region 3; Lamin S. Kanteh of Kabafita Upper and Senior Secondary School in Region 2 and Abdourahman Bah of Abuko Upper Basic School in Region 1.
Pa Daniel Mendy, senior programme officer at GTU, hailed the initiative, saying that they had attempted a similar programme in the past but it failed due to some reasons. He expressed their willingness to support the growth of the award, as it recognises the tireless efforts of teachers, which he said, could be celebrated every day.
“Nobody can go without passing through the teachers and they are the ones that need to be recognised first when it comes to honour. We believe that the public image of teachers must be lifted, as they are the first social engineers for any country. It is said a well-motivated teacher is a catalyst for any nation.”
He urged the private sector to support the initiative as they do with other disciplines such as sports. He added that this would allow diversity as it would be not be limited to specific achievements.
The CEO of NAMIE, Alhassan Susso, pledged to support the initiatives in collaboration with MoBSE and the GTU.
Kejau Touray, chairman of the panel of judges, and Junkung Jobarteh, a board member of NAMIE affirmed that a survey would be conducted among the communities and schools of the 7 winners to select the National winner.
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