By: Fatoumata Joof
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) and the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) last week held a four-day capacity-building workshop for national quality assurance stakeholders on the implementation of the Open Distance Learning (ODL) Policy implementation strategies.
The workshop also validated the Quality Assurance Standards for Assessment of ODL institutions and Programmes. This activity is part of the Ministry’s endeavours to strengthen the implementation mechanism for the National Open and Distance Learning Policy (2024) for Tertiary and Higher Education. Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Administration and Finance of MoHERST, Ndey Fatou Trawally, stated that the workshop, which is funded by the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) is geared towards complementing Government’s effort to increase access to quality tertiary and higher education in The Gambia. She noted that the implementation of the National Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Policy Strategies for Higher Education is a follow-up on the endeavours and efforts invested by CoL to support development of a National Policy for the Higher education.
DPS Trawally noted that the workshop presents a unique opportunity for the Gambia in ensuring that the necessary tools required for the administration of ODL is not only available, but applicable to the needs of the sector. Thus, the Ministry will be looking forward to receiving a comprehensive Assessment Standards for ODL Institutions and Programmes at the end of the Workshop. In highlighting the Ministry’s appreciation, DPS Trawally thanked the Commonwealth of Learning, most specially, Prof. Jane-Frances Agbu, CoL Higher Education Specialist, for the funding and commitment in making this project a reality.
The Director of Quality Assurance, NAQAA, Mr. Lamin Manneh, underscored the significance of the training and encouraged participants to interact with the facilitator during the sessions to ensure their institutions’ effectiveness in ODL policy implementation process. For his part, the CoL Consultant, Dr. Noel B Saliu, highlighted the key areas of the workshop and indicated that participants will be introduce to the required instruments for assessment and the various standards for the country.
Ms Kumba Jammeh Principal Research Officer and Gender Focal Person applauded the ODL initiative and reiterated its potential to improving access to tertiary and higher education. She also highlighted some of the recent key CoL intervention areas such as the development of the Ministry’s Gender Scorecard, and the on-going Gender and Inclusion Policy development process for Tertiary and Higher Education.
