The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) has said the government approved the transformation of the School of Education of the Gambia College and the University of the Gambia (UTG) into a University of Education.
“The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) is delighted to announce that Cabinet, in its meeting on 25th April 2024, approved the transformation of the School of Education of the Gambia College and the University of the Gambia (UTG) into a University of Education,” a press release says.
The transformation of the School of Education at the Gambia College and the School of Education at UTG into the University of Education, the statement indicated, 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.
According to the release, this will train world-class teachers and educators in The Gambia, who will serve the entire education sector in the teaching, planning and management in our institutions, from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to institutions of higher learning.
Banking on critical provisions of the Tertiary and Higher Education Act, 2016, the statement added that the Gambia College, combined with the School of Education of the UTG, will now have a mandate to deliver degree programmes and change its name to the University of Education, The Gambia.
As part of the same plan, UTG’s Schools of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences will integrate the programmes and resources under the Gambia College’s Schools of Nursing and Public Health, and UTG’s School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences will integrate programmes at the School of Agriculture at the Gambia College, the statement says.
Consequently, the press release indicated that the new University of Education will be made up of the two Schools of Education at UTG and Gambia College and be housed at the Gambia College. In contrast, UTG will house all the Medical and Allied Health Sciences and Agriculture and Environmental Science programmes of both UTG and Gambia College.
This transformation drive, the release noted, will significantly expand access to tertiary and higher education in The Gambia and ensure the provision of competent teachers, education managers, and planners.
