By Abdou Mbye
The Namie Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) and the Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU) recently hosted the inaugural gala for The Gambia Teacher Prize 2024.
Held at the esteemed Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre in Bijilo, the initiative aimed to recognise and celebrate the exceptional contributions of educators in The Gambia.
The ceremony featured the presentation of awards to outstanding teachers from each of the seven regions, with Abdourahman Bah, Lamin S. Conteh, Saikou Jallow, Muhammed Mustapha Jagne, Motalla Boye, Fatou F. Kebbeh, and Mizra Sharif Ahmad of regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 North, 5 South and 6 honored with the Regional Best Teacher Awards. Muhammed Mustapha Jange of Bureng Upper and Senior Secondary School in region 4 received the prestigious National Best Teacher Award for 2024.
In a touching tribute, Kaddy S. Bojang, the late former Principal of Koba Kunda UB/SSS, was posthumously honored with the Namie Foundation Posthumous Award, while Omar J. Ndure, a retired educationist and former President of the Gambia Teachers’ Union, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the education sector.
Minister Claudiana A. Cole, in her address, expressed gratitude to the exemplary teachers and stressed the importance of collaboration between public and private organisations. She announced initiatives to document and widely share best practices of the winners, who will be provided laptops to support their teaching endeavors. The Minister also assured winners of government’s support, including consideration for promotion. She mentioned plan to have in place a teacher fund to facilitate scholarships and mentorship programmes.
Vice President Muhammed BS Jallow commended the Namie Foundation and its founder, Alhassan Suso, for their dedication to Gambian education. He underscored the pivotal role of educators in shaping the nation’s future leaders and pledged the government’s full cooperation and support to further enhance the education sector.
Alhassan Suso, founder of the Namie Foundation and recipient of the New York Teacher Award in 2019, delivered a heartfelt speech reflecting on the transformative influence of teachers. He emphasized the importance of sharing the inspiring stories of Gambian educators to motivate future generations.
The Gala was graced by distinguished guests, including First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, Cabinet Ministers, American educators, and the U.S. Ambassador to The Gambia, underscoring the significance of the event.
In addition to the prestigious accolades, the awardees received substantial prizes and support, including each D50, 000 cash prizes and D100,000 for the national winner from the Namie Foundation, with further scholarship opportunities announced by Dr. Henrietta Sonko of the MRC-Holland Foundation.
