By Abdou Mbye
In a series of separate but similar engagements, the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Haddy Jatou Sey, on April 23rd and 24th received for briefing and bilateral discussions the team from The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM), the ambassadors of China and Azerbaijan.
UNESCO NATCOM team, led by Ms. Maimuna Sidibeh, Secretary-General of NATCOM, confirmed that the purpose of the visit was to brief the new Minister, who also serves as the chairperson of the Commission, about NATCOM’s activities.
They underscored the imperative of acquainting the new chairperson with the Commission’s existence, mandate, and ongoing programmes.
The Minister expressed pleasure and appreciation upon receiving them, and affirmed the significance of the briefings.
The engagement featured presentations by the NATCOM team and discussions with the Minister on strategies for future activities, including the participation of the Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) in the OIC Summit.
The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) serves as a liaison between the Gambian government and UNESCO. Its mandate is multi-sectoral, with approximately seventy-five percent focused on education.
Chinese ambassador’s visit
Next to visit Minister Sey was the Ambassador of the People’s Republic China to The Gambia, H. E. Liu Jin. Their discussion centred on educational collaboration.
Honorable Sey warmly welcomed Ambassador Jin, expressing appreciation for China’s commitment to cooperation.
Ambassador Jin took the opportunity to congratulate Honourable Sey on her appointment and reiterated his dedication to working with The Gambia. The discussion revolved around potential areas of cooperation in education, with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) taking center stage.
Azerbaijani Ambassador
For the Azerbaijani Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Nasim Samadov, who visited on April 24th, the meeting with the Education minister was to foster mutual collaboration and support between the two countries and in advancing quality education in The Gambia.
Honourable Sey expressed delight for the visit and updated the Ambassador on projects and programmes her ministry plans to undertake to improve the quality of education. These, she highlighted, include in-service training, foundational learning, capacity building for teachers, training hubs for teachers, students, and administrators. She is also committed to advancing performance-based monitoring and evaluation to achieve quality education, TVET for skills acquisition to contribute to the human resource of the country, and finalising the policy and strategy for improving the sector.
H.E. Dr. Samadov expressed gratitude to the Hon. Minister for the warm welcome, highlighting his country’s commitment to supporting education in The Gambia. He also took the opportunity to present to the Hon. Minister an invitation letter to attend the inter-ministerial meeting to be held in Azerbaijan.
