By: Mariama Njie
Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education on Friday held a consultative forum to reviewed the supervision mission of the education sector support projects (SMESSP) at the Regional Education Directorate one.
The meeting was held under the theme “Accessibility, Equitable and Inclusive Quality Education for Sustainable Development”.
The event also includes among others, consultations, dialogue on sector policy issues, sector plans, filed trips to project schools covering Basic and Secondary Education as well as higher Education, Research, Science and technology.
The overall objectives of the joint donor review was to ensure that the entire education sector plans are successfully implemented, within the framework of the Paris Declaration and the Accra agenda for action commitment on aid effectiveness, improve coordination managing for result and mutual accountability for better result for the education sector.
Speaking at the one day forum, Ebrima Sisawo Permanent Secretary of MoBSE, said the significance of the joint donor review and provision mission is an opportunity to take or push education sector to another level.
He also described the session as key, adding that this year marked the 30 anniversary of the UN Convention on the right of the child.
“It also marked the mid-point of the national development plan (NDP) and the education support plan”, he said.
He urged all participants to learn from the mid-term review, facilitate their acceleration, scaling up intervention to deliver equality education for every child.
Ms. Toshiko Takahash, UNICEF country deputy representative said the children of The Gambia in a uniform survey value on their right but consider education as an urgent right that cannot wait.
She pointed out that, last month at the second sitting of the children of National Assembly, children addressed several issues affecting them and their fellow peers.
According her, that children of the Gambia want recreational facilities including access to gender, toilet facilities and clean water.
“Education must be cross sectorial if we want to have chance to enrol children and retain them in schools as well as proving high quality of education they deserve.
“The children National Assembly have given us a great task and work to the improvement of the education sector of every child”, she said
Ms Toshiko further explained that there are two programs going on for the deaf at Brikama and the other for the blind at Jamissa Lower and Upper Basic School.
Henriette Brummer Sonko, MRS- Holland Foundation, said in terms of equality education there is a lot to be done through MoBSE to develop the educational system.
She revealed that, there is training in the making to train the blind youths to better be able to join in the general life.
“Africa Centre of Excellence project and Development of a co-finance multiplier grant project to be funded by Global partnership for education and MRC Holland Foundation will bring great impact to the education sector in The Gambia”, she revealed.