The presentation ceremony held at the MoBSE conference room in Banjul, marks a key advancement in civic and human rights instruction for Upper Basic School students. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization that supports democracy worldwide.
At the presentation ceremony, Emmanuel Daniel Joof, Chairman National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), explained that from the textbooks creation to this presentation, they’ve taken a crucial step in nurturing civic responsibility and human rights understanding in our schools.
"These books will instill in our children essential values, respect for human rights, the rule of law, tolerance, and an appreciation for diversity."
Mr. Louis Moses Mendy, Permanent Secretary at MoBSE, expressed gratitude to the European Union, NHRC, and International IDEA for their invaluable support in this vital area of education.
PS Mendy reaffirmed MoBSE’s dedication to equipping students with necessary patriotic values, norms, and respect for human rights through the Ministry’s Civic Education Curriculum.
The presentation of these vital learning materials, PS Mendy noted is the result of in-depth reviews and extensive consultations with officials from MoBSE’s Curriculum, Research, Evaluation and Development Directorate (CREDD) and human rights experts.
"This collaborative approach ensured the textbooks are comprehensive and tailored to the educational needs of Gambian students." he mentioned.
Also speaking, Imam Njie, Curriculum Desk Officer for Civic Education at MoBSE, noted that the handing over of these textbooks represents a significant leap forward in fortifying the foundation of civic responsibility and human rights awareness among Upper Basic School students in the eight (8) selected pilot schools Nation-wide.
Immaculada Roca I Cortés, the European Union (EU) ambassador to The Gambia, acknowledged that strong civic education empowers students from an early age to recognize their role in shaping society and encourages them to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law.
She indicated that by embedding these concepts in the foundational years of education, of citizens who are knowledgeable but also committed to building a more just, inclusive, and resilient democracy.
"We appreciate that the pilot phase includes schools from all six educational regions. This helps ensure a fairer distribution of opportunities and reflects an inclusive approach to educational development," she noted.
She also talked about the gender-sensitive dimension of this initiative, noting that it is important that civic education supports the equal participation of girls and boys, helping to build a more balanced and inclusive society over time.
Ambassador Roca I Cortés, on behalf of the EU, thanked all those involved in the process from policymakers to curriculum developers to the teachers, who will now bring this content to life in classrooms across the country.
