By Binta Jaiteh
National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) has validated a competency framework for Teacher and Vocational Education Training (TVET) to develop the competency framework for teachers within the tertiary institutions.
The competencies spelt out in this document were developed through the facilitation of the NAQAA in collaboration with Ministry of Higher Education Research and
Technology, UNESCO National Office in The Gambia, International Open University and funded by UNESCO-KOICA Project on Youth Empowerment.
Doctor Jibriel Jaw, Chief Executive Officer of NAQAA, said “we are the implementer of this KOICAA project and this is part of the activity 4 which is meant to strengthen teacher education and training institutions in The Gambia. We have been offering TVET trainings for so long but majority of the trainers are not trained as trainers. Meanwhile, they were trained as specialist in their own areas that gives them knowledge and competence in their subject.”
He went on that when it comes to delivery that requires teaching skills most of their trainers are not equipped but this is an opportunity to come up with competency framework that will spell out clearly the competencies and knowledge that all TVET trainers must possess.
According to him, the teaching becomes more effective and the graduates will be in a better market to serve the labour market
“This is very important because the drafters of this document were derived from different parts of the society including NAQAA and. MOHERST. The aims and objectives is that we want uniformity since it is a national document and same skills regardless of different institutions. Added that the curricular should be responsive to what is needed in the TVET.
Anthony G. Mendy Director Tertiary and Higher Education (MOHERST) described it as good to note that the competency framework of TVET Trainers help to define the roles of trainers. And also, what they are expected to know and demonstrate in order to become highly skilled professional trainers.
He rated the framework to serve as a useful tool or guide for trainers to enhance their teaching and learning delivery.
Noting that the tertiary and higher education institutions are privilege to be provided with series of capacity building programs on quality assurance and it brought a significant improvement in the quality management of institutions.