By: Haruna Kuyateh, in NBR
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MOBSE) In Service Training Education Unit in collaboration with Regional Education Directorate of Region 3 organize one day stakeholder’s sensitization dubbed Second Chance Education Program for out of school youths. The programme will provide free tuition fee.
The sensitization target teachers, school administrators, mothers club, cluster monitors, School Management Committee and dropout student. The synergy was held at Regional Education Directorate 3 in Kerewan north bank region.
The program would address issue of requirement for transition in grade 10 and further learning after completion of secondary course in grade 12. The study commissioned out of school by MoBSE show children is quite alarming and whilst the public demand for education is now higher. The program would focus classes on English language, Mathematics, Science and Social and Environmental Studies. MoBSE with support World Bank and the Government of Gambia has develop learning materials are user friendly, simple, easy to understand and useful to learners.
Kadijatou Sighateh, Coordinator of the Programme at In Service training Education Unit at MoBSE noted that Second Chance of Education will provide opportunities for out of school children and youths in the Gambia to attain basic education, life and livelihood.
She disclosed the programme came following a study tour to Namibia by team of experts to learn best practices on how the program is been implemented to ensure out of school children and youths.
She commended the World Bank for funding the program and their long standing support in complementing MoBSE efforts of providing opportunity for children and youths to continue with the education.
She said the education policy makers include second chance education as a core strategy in education. The program target 1000 children and youths from region 1- 6 and it is evident that some children and youths drop out of school simply due to transition from grade 9-10.
Ebrima KS Dampha, Governor of North Bank Region has underscored government commitment of providing quality education to children and youths.
He lauded MoBSE for the foresight of providing Second Chance Education Program, noting that it would obviously enable target to take up learning seriously and call on parent to provide them the opportunity to continue with the education.
Basiru Mbenga, Regional Education Director for region reiterated of the ministry resolved to ensuring the continuity program for children and youths in education.
He called on parents to support in these noble initiatives, noting that the program aim to ensure children and youths to continue with their education.
