National judges unveiled for 3rd edition of Gambia Teacher Prize

The unveiling marks a major milestone in the rollout of the 2026 edition of the prestigious award, which is designed to recognise excellence, dedication and innovation within the teaching profession across the country. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 9 April 2026 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre.

Under the prize scheme, each regional award winner will receive D50,000 alongside a scholarship sponsored by the MRC Holland Foundation, while the national winner will receive an additional D50,000. The initiative continues to position teachers at the centre of national development by rewarding impact, commitment and professional excellence.

The panel of National Judges unveiled for this year’s edition comprises Momodou A. Jallow, Anna Nancy, Baba Cham, Emily Gomez, Rohey Sillah and Amadou Samba. They are tasked with ensuring a fair, transparent and credible selection process.

Speaking at the event, Chairperson of the Selection and Organising Committee, Lamin Jarju, underscored the critical role of teachers in fulfilling the country’s constitutional and policy commitments. He described education as the backbone of the nation, noting that while the Constitution guarantees every Gambian child the right to quality education, that right can only be realised through motivated and supported teachers.

Jarju said national education policies, including the Education Policy 2016–2030, cannot succeed if teachers remain demotivated, adding that motivating educators is not an act of charity but a constitutional duty, a national policy imperative and a global responsibility aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted ongoing government interventions such as school improvement grants, teacher training, continuous professional development, curriculum reform and ICT integration as critical investments in empowering teachers.

He also acknowledged the role of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology in elevating teacher education standards, strengthening quality assurance and promoting research-driven training approaches. Commending the contribution of MRC Holland, he noted the foundation’s long-standing support in building schools and providing scholarships to teachers to improve education quality.

According to Jarju, the Gambia Teacher Prize matters because it shines a spotlight on excellence, rewards dedication and reinforces the nobility of the teaching profession. He reminded the judges that their responsibility goes beyond selecting winners to upholding fairness, integrity and national values. He urged sustained investment in teacher training, improved working conditions and continued recognition of teachers as nation builders.

Representing the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Principal Higher Education Officer Amie Njie reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting teachers through professional development, resource allocation and policy reforms. She described teachers as the backbone of the education system and emphasised their pivotal role in shaping future leaders and driving national development. Njie said the ministry was proud to partner with stakeholders to ensure the continued success of the Gambia Teacher Prize.

For her part, Beppie Smith, representing MRC Holland, shared firsthand experiences of how the prize and accompanying scholarships have positively transformed teachers’ motivation and performance. She said interactions with sponsored teachers demonstrate that the award inspires confidence, ambition and improved results, adding that MRC Holland is proud to support teachers through scholarships, including opportunities at the University of The Gambia.

Former awardee Amadou Camara reflected on the impact of winning the Gambia Teacher Prize, describing it as recognition not of individual excellence alone but of the collective efforts of hardworking teachers across the country. He said the award elevated his social standing and professional pride, inspiring other teachers and students alike. Camara noted that his nomination came as a surprise, reinforcing the idea that teachers should focus on doing their work diligently rather than chasing awards.

Founded by the Namie Foundation in collaboration with the Gambia Teachers’ Union and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Gambia Teacher Prize was established to address the long-standing need for recognition and support for educators. The foundation was founded by Alhassan Susso, the 2019 New York State Teacher of the Year and 2020 US National Teacher of the Year, with a mission to mobilise resources and create innovative professional learning opportunities for teachers, while fostering exchange programmes between educators in The Gambia and the United States.

Past winners of the prize include Mohammed Mustapha Jagne of Region Four, who won the national prize in 2024, and Angelic Isatou Mendy, also of Region Four, who emerged as the national winner in 2025. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Omar J. Ndure in 2024 and Aja Isatou Ndow in 2025.