By Ndey Sowe
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) is step to deliver over one million text books across all Lower and Upper Basic Schools in the country, to address the issue of text book shortage and to improve the quality of foundational learning outcomes.
In a decisive move to address the textbook shortage as well as enhance foundational learning outcomes, Dr. Habibatou Drammeh, the MoBSE, and Seedy Keita, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, presided over the delivery session of ten-twenty-foot containers carrying a substantial consignment of textbooks, amounting to seven hundred and thirty thousand, three hundred and seventy nine (730,379), according to the ministry.
The session, moderated by the Permanent Secretary, Louis Moses Mendy, was attended by officials of the (CPCU) and MoBSE on Monday, 6 January, 2025, at the MoBSE Office in Banjul.
According to Dr. Habibatou Drammeh, the ministry is expecting to another seven hundred and forty seven thousand, three hundred and forty two (747,342) books within the next few days, noting that at the end of January 2025, MoBSE will ensure that a staggering amount of one million, four hundred and seventy seven thousand, seven hundred and twenty one (1,477,721) text-books are distributed to all Regional Education Directorates across the country, for onward distribution to Schools. She thanked the Government of President Adama Barrow and all their education partners for the continuous support and collaboration.
She said the bold investment in education to improve foundational learning outcomes in the Gambia is supported by the World Bank through the Resilience, Inclusive, Skills and Equity (RISE) project.
While warning against the commercialization of these text books, Dr. Drammeh emphasized that they are being provided to Schools and students free of charge, and cautioned that they are not for sale.
She extended gratitude to the Ministry of Finance, particularly the Central Project Coordinating Unit (CPCU) and all those involved in making this landmark achievement possible.
Seedy Keita, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, said the delivery of these textbooks highlights the Government’s commitment to supporting and improving the Basic and Secondary Education Sector and underscores the importance of quality learning materials for improved educational outcomes. He also commended the World Bank and all government development partners for their continuous support and collaboration.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve access to quality education, Dr. Drammeh said MoBSE is currently working to institute an innovative e-learning platform that will address access to quality education gaps and create an interactive learning environment that complements the use of physical textbooks to enhance students’ engagement.
It could be recalled that in September 2024, the Gambia Government, through MoBSE, printed and distributed 213,000 textbooks for Grades 10-12 to improve educational resources and support students across the country.
Source: Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education
