Education in the Gambia: What Has Become of It?

Education in our tiny West African State has taken many shifts and twists, from the three decades of People's Progressive Party (PPP) rule under former President Jawara to the current government of the 21st century. Most of us left the country under horrible conditions after the coup that brought the current regime to power. However, some of us still remained very connected with unfolding events and developments in our dearest motherland, and education is one key area of development that interests a majority of Gambians. What has become of education in the Gambia? What happened to the great standards in our schools before the coming of the AFPRC/APRC to power? Do our schools today, have the qualified teachers fit for the job? These are some of the questions that keep lingering in the thoughts of most concerned Gambians.

In social criticism, it is always paramount to give credit where it should be, and there is no doubt that under the APRC, Gambians witnessed, and can testify to a new era of schools that has impacted very remote locations in the country. Many who had no dreams of attending a school got thrilled, because they could pursue an education. A university was introduced which gave many the opportunity to pursue professional and undergraduate degrees. The number of female students sprang to heights across the whole country. President Jammeh and his government should therefore be commended for providing Middle schools and High Schools across the country, enabling many to pursue a Junior High and High School education.

With all such a progress, there still remains a major concern, as students from a majority of these schools are not meeting the standards required. Gambian students are said to be failing in large numbers and the quality of teachers in most of the schools are said to be appalling. A personal survey carried out shows that 70- 75% of Gambian students graduating from High Schools do not have a spoken or written command of the English language. Most High School graduates in the Gambia do not meet the required written and verbal skills in English nor a good vocabulary, and neither do they meet the required math and science skills. This is a crucial moment as it is suppose to be the age of preparation for admission to College or a Professional School.

Another survey shows that 60-65% of teachers in both High schools and Junior High schools are not either professionally trained teachers, or are High School Graduates. During this year, some of us were opportune to interact with many students and teachers in the tiny West African State. However, its sad to hear about all such flaws and appalling situations ravaging the educational system. The good question now is, how do we improve the appalling situation in our educational system?

As education is a major key to success in this 21st century, it is not only incumbent but a moral obligation upon government to take appropriate actions in finding a lasting solution to the problem. A possible solution that may ensure development and changes in the educational sector includes the following:

A) The authorities should encourage hiring University graduates with a Bachelors degrees in the liberal arts and science disciplines with a very good pay.

B) A pay scale between D2500-D3000 is strongly recommended.

C) All such graduates should have a fixed housing and transportation allowance.

D) School Curriculum in junior high and High Schools be revised with an emphasis on English, Math, Sciences and Technology.

E) High School graduates should only be hired as Teachers assistant with a reasonable pay of D1300- D1400 per month.

F) All such Teacher Assistants should also have a fixed housing and transportation allowance.

G) The position of Headmaster for respective Junior High and High Schools should be reviewed and a criteria to be set for appointments to such a position. Such criteria should include qualification, age and experience, to be set by The Gambia Board of Education including some Gambia University Faculty.

H) Standards must be set for all grades and all such standards must be achieved or attained by individual students, before passing onto the next grade (Semester or end of Term Exam and End of year exams).

I) Government should design a way for providing free textbooks for all Students.

J) As we live in the 21ST Century, it is important for government to introduce computer education in all such schools.

K) The encouragement of NGO'S in our educational sector should be strongly encouraged.

L) Teacher and parent relation across all schools of the country should be revisited and proper mechanisms, that will enhanced the relationship of parents and teachers be put in place.

M) The appropriate furniture (tables, desks and chairs) be provided for all new public schools.

The development of any nation and her people lies on the educational sector, which lays the foundation, for coming generations and prepares them to meet challenges of the changing world. It is therefore paramount for the board of education to review all departments of the educational sector and make the appropriate changes that will prepare youths of our beloved nation into taking up leadership roles for the socio-economic development of the world and The Gambia as a nation.