Minister Cole: The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education Is Committed To Providing Equitable, Quality Education

By: Landing Ceesay

The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education [MoBSE], Claudiana A Cole has expressed her ministry’s commitment to provide equitable and quality education for students across the country.

“The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education [MoBSE] is committed to providing equitable, inclusive and quality education to all students in the Gambia, both in times of relative stability and in emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic that has greatly impacted on the global education system including the Gambia,” she said.

Minister Cole said when schools were closed in the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic her ministry swiftly ensured that the children’s right to learn was not disrupted by the closure.

“I am happy to note that, within one week after the total school closure, the ministry launched television, online and radio lessons to support students with home-based learning activities. This was laudable and proves the importance of coming together particularly in times of crisis,” Claudiana stated.

The Basic Education Minister made these remarks at the launch of the ilearnGambia platform on Wednesday. The online platform created by her ministry to provide students with curriculum support distance learning.

“The ilearnGambia is a mobile-friendly educational platform with a host of materials including PDFs and quizzes, [it] will provide students with a comprehensive and consistent educational experience. It would also give parents access to the materials so that they can support their children’s learning,” she stated.

Cole buttressed on the importance of keeping the ilearnGambia platform proactive. She said the initiative is meant to support students’ distance learning and teaching in the coronavirus pandemic.

“I wish to note that the launching of this platform demonstrates MoBSE’s resolve towards the digitalisation of the curriculum to provide equitably and quality education for every child in the Gambia. This is more important now as the covid-19 pandemic amplifies existing inequalities in education and training,” Minister Cole noted.

The minister, therefore, urged pupils to learn from the platform as the country continues to modernise the educational system and strengthen their resilience.

The Gambia had joined the list of countries that ordered the total closure of schools and other learning institutes across the country. The total closure was meant to keep the students safe and curb the spread of the virus.