By Buba Gagigo
The Gambia’s Cabinet has sanctioned the elevation of the School of Education at both Gambia College and the University of The Gambia (UTG) to university status, forming the new University of Education. This move, announced on April 25, 2024, by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST), is a pivotal advancement in the nation’s educational reforms.
The ministry highlighted that this upgrade is pivotal for enhancing the quality of teacher education, as well as school management and planning. The new University of Education is set to cultivate top-tier educators who will contribute across all levels of the educational system, from early childhood development to higher education.
“The transformation of the School of Education at the Gambia College and the School of Education at UTG into the University of Education, The Gambia, marks a significant milestone in our education sector. It is a crucial step towards The Gambia’s higher education reform agenda, ensuring the provision of quality and relevant teacher training, school management and planning programmes,” the ministry said.
The initiative aims to cultivate top-tier educators in The Gambia, poised to bolster every echelon of the educational landscape, from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to higher learning institutions.
“Banking on critical provisions of the Tertiary and Higher Education Act, 2016, the Gambia College, combined with the School of Education of the UTG, will now have the mandate to deliver degree programmes and change its name to the University of Education, The Gambia,” MoHERST said.
Leveraging the pivotal clauses of the Tertiary and Higher Education Act of 2016, Gambia College, alongside UTG’s School of Education, will now be empowered to confer degree programs and rebrand as the University of Education, The Gambia.
As part of this holistic strategy, MoHERST disclosed plans for the integration of UTG’s Schools of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences with Gambia College’s Schools of Nursing and Public Health, and the merger of UTG’s School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences with programs at the School of Agriculture at Gambia College.
Consequently, the University of Education will encompass the amalgamated Schools of Education from UTG and Gambia College, headquartered at the latter. UTG, on the other hand, will house the combined Medical and Allied Health Sciences and Agriculture and Environmental Science programs from both institutions.
Expressing gratitude, the Honorable Minister and the entire MoHERST team extended thanks to the Executive for the timely approval of this proposal. This transformative endeavor is poised to substantially broaden access to tertiary and higher education in The Gambia while ensuring the availability of adept teachers, education administrators, and planners.