The training, was held under the theme ‘Curriculum Enrichment and Pedagogical Skills for Teachers through the Integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning on a Digital Platform.’
The six-day forum sought to promote technological advancement in the teaching and learning processes, as well enhance distance learning and the digitalisation of the teaching system to improve accessible and quality education in the country.
At the closing ceremony, Bakary Ceesay, director of Science and Technology Education Directorate (STED), thanked the facilitators and participants for their level of commitment during the training, stating that it will have a great impact on the participants.
“The education policy has preached for the digitalisation of the curriculum to make sure that The Gambia is in tune with other parts of the world. The world is moving towards technology and no nation can develop beyond the educational attainment of its citizens and if you want to profile a country, look at the teachers. Investing on teachers means investing in the country, because these are the people nurturing and shaping our future elders, who are going to be responsible for our lives and livelihoods tomorrow.” Ceesay added.
For his part, Dr. Babou Joof, principal Education Officer (PEO) at STED and the coordinator of the programme, said the training would diversely enhance technological progress in the process of digitalising the teaching and learning system.
He urged participants to use the opportunity to share the skills with their fellow teachers to support them in ICT to facilitate distance learning approaches.
Modou Touray on behalf of the Secretary General NATCOM, said the training was premised on strengthening the capacity and resilience of the country’s education system by promoting the use of ICT to improve teachers’ digital skills.
While thanking ICESCO and MOBSE for the funding and implementing the project alongside NATCOM, Touray equally advised participants to make good use of the training.
Abdoulie Njie, head of Department (HoD) for The Gambia Senior Secondary School Computer lab, on behalf of the Principal, thanked the participants, further expressing delight in hosting the forum designed to arm teachers with the most up-to-date skills in teaching and learning pedagogies.
Adel A. Mendy on behalf of the participants, expressed gratitude to MoBSE, UNESCO-NATCOM and ICSECO for organising the training, further assuring of his resolve to explore new skills and knowledge gained in their various schools.
