– Gambian President Adama Barrow has emphasised that formal education plays an important role in nation building.
Speaking on Saturday at the 14th convocation ceremony of the University of the Gambia (UTG), he said institutions of higher education, in particular, contribute most significantly to character building, besides producing the trained and educated bulk of a country’s workforce.
President Barrow noted that the findings of the just concluded Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission provide enough evidence that there is an urgent need for Gambians to engage in deep self-examination, and to commit themselves to uniting the nation and building on diversity and strengths for the welfare of all citizens.
“Among other approaches, education must be at the centre of efforts to moderate behaviour, change attitudes and contribute positively to national development and peaceful coexistence. In the process, it is imperative that we value and sustain the noble tenets of good governance, democracy and the rule of law. All these make it necessary to recognise education as a basis for national development,” he added.
He said 15 years ago, one could count the UTG graduates in government institutions. But after 22 years of existence, there is hardly any public or private institution in the country without a UTG graduate.
We have noticed that many graduates of the University act as agents of development, and they show strength of character, generate creative ideas and have positive mindsets, President Barrow said.
President Barrow said that his government will remain committed to providing accessible quality education country-wide, saying a key objective for taking this approach is to break the existing social and economic barriers that hinder progress and quality living conditions.