By Amadou Manjang
The Minister of Higher Education Research Science and Technology, (MOHERST), Prof. Pierre Gomez, recently stated that it is part of his Ministry’s long-term plan to have an annex of the University of Education in Jarra Soma in the Lower River Region (LRR).
Prof. Gomez made this remark while answering the question of Jarra West National Assembly Member Alieu Baldeh’s questions on the lack of a College in his region.
Currently, there is a College in Brikama in the West Coast Region, its annex is also in Basse in the Upper River Region. According to the Jarra West representative, these campuses are far from the people of the LRR. Therefore, he called for the establishment of a College in the region.
The Minister of Higher Education said it is in line with his Ministry’s Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 to expand teacher education training institutions across the country.
‘Given the strategic location of Soma, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, and the University of Education will work to have an annex in the region to serve Soma and its surroundings once we gather the necessary funding for that,’ he added.
The Jarra West representative acknowledged the need for funding, but further asked the Minister whether there is any short-term plan for the people of Jarra West.
In reply, Minister Gomez said there is a short-term plan, adding that the ministry wants Colleges in different regions for youth to access education.
‘For the time being, the short-term plan for the University of Education is the transformation of the College into the University of the Gambia. We are now consolidating our gains with Basse Campus because there are more students at that level, we want to address that before we could now announce expanding, but this is subject to the availability of funds,’ the Minister added.
