By Abdou Mbye
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) recently convened a 2-day convergence of senior officials of the Ministry and key stakeholders to discuss and devise means of establishing a productive educational structure.
This aims to propel the global crusade in transformative education that would not only serve as an impetus to alleviate unemployment but also promote sustainable growth to meet the needs and aspirations of the people.
Addressing the gathering at Baobab Holiday Resort in Bijilo, the Permanent Secretary (PS) at MoBSE, Mr. Louis Moses Mendy, emphasised that the gathering was meant to discuss the realisation of the commitments made by the President on behalf of the country during the World Summit to transform the education agenda universally.
“We are here today to look at the commitments that have been made and how we the operatives and technicians can implement them. We have already gone beyond the level of policy and that is why it was a declaration at the UN Assembly level. I will request that we all exploit, critic and interrogate the commitments and see what we can do as individuals, as a sector or stakeholders and as a country to realise the implementation process. We must all appreciate that the education sector was given prominence in that UN meeting for the good reason that the world is faced with unemployment hitches which has greater bearing on the education system. Therefore, we are supposed to provide educational services to avail employment opportunities for the people,” PS Mendy remarked.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS) Programmes at MoBSE, Mr Adama Jimba Jobe said: “We are the technicians who can make it happen and it is imperative to inform the wider population on the position of the country with regards to education especially the decision makers to take the lead”.
The Director of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education, Mrs. Anna Nancy posited that there cannot be a successful educational transformation without considering early childhood and inclusive education, citing early childhood as a foundational tool in the process as well as special needs education.
“It is important that whatever strategy we are going to put in place to transform education, we should ensure that those at the foundation level are adequately catered for and those with special needs are included…,” Madam Nancy said.
