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Momodou
Denmark
11832 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Aug 2007 : 21:35:32
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Foroyaa Editorial:
SCIENCE ACADEMY IN KANILAI
Give It A Second Thought, Mr. President
The report that Taiwan is assisting the president to build a Science Academy in Kanilai has taken many by surprise.
It is just recently that the government has informed the public that it is building a university campus in Faraba Banta.
Nothing is being said how the present university will develop and evolve into one with a campus.
Good planning starts from what exists and is characterised by short term, medium term and long term strategies to facilitate the smooth, continuous and sustainable development of a project.
Currently, the University of The Gambia is without a campus or proper science facilities. The students doing physics and other science subjects are terribly disadvantaged because of the inadequacy of books and laboratory facilities. What the university needs currently should be identified and provided if the government is committed to the spirit and principle of promoting university education. At the moment, what is available is a college.
What the university needs are accomplished lecturers in the sciences, an update of learning materials and well equipped laboratories to provide education up to PhD level.
In subsequent issues Foroyaa will focus on science education in the University of The Gambia. We will provide the facts to the readers to evaluate the situation.
We have constantly lamented the negligence of the leaders of the first republic in building a university infrastructure. We have equally drawn the attention of the Gambian public to our honest opinion that this present government is not following the right direction in promoting university education.
We have argued vehemently that the Independence Stadium complex, with hostel and adjoining rooms, is a fitting place to commence a university campus. Can you imagine what could have happened if the funds proposed for the academy or to build a university at Faraba were to be utilised to modify the structures at the stadium to build science laboratories with state of earth equipment and provide conducive environment for the lecturer to teach and reside? This could have been the main campus which will proceed to develop up to the point of offering PhD courses. Colleges specializing in agriculture and other disciplines could have been established elsewhere when the situation permits.
The basic problem of the government’s development strategy is lack of coherence and a holistic approach in planning. Take the road network as an example. The first strategic objective of any government should have been to build a trunk road from Barra up to the Fatoto river crossing, where a bridge could have easily been constructed to complete the connection between the North and South Bank. Secondly, a South Bank trunk should have been built from Kartong to Koina as another phase in linking all parts of the country. Any government with a coherent road policy would have tried to achieve this within a five year period.
This government however showcases development in disjointed ways. Its starts something and goes to something else, before it completes the whole journey cracks would have started where it completed and the whole cycle of deterioration starts off again.
Our fear is that vital time and resources will be wasted before a university is established. Then cost would deprive the poor from being enrolled. This is what must be avoided. Taiwan is helping but a change of government or change of policy is always possible. The government should use all opportunity to promote sustainable ventures.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 91/2007, 6-7 August, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2007 : 21:53:06
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This is another example of sustainability problem.
How does the Academy evolve. Would it be boarding, how about electricity grid. Where is the nearest supply of electricty. If it become boarding, did they realise the costs involved and if it will be affordable.
Armitage right now is in rough waters mainiting a boarding setting and now we are complicating the problems further.
Well i hope planners have taken these into consideration.
Very soon every one will drink the magic water |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2007 : 12:15:43
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| Kondorong, with the magic water not only the building but electricity, books, professors and everything else will appear overnight. Read the French comics 'Asterix and Cleopatra' to know how it works... |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2007 : 18:46:03
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| Establishing a Science and Maths academy in Kanilai is not based on any expressed need. It is sham and total abuse of economic power. Some sycophants thought they have played it smart this time. They are wrong as ever. This is all scrap. |
Karamba |
Edited by - Karamba on 08 Aug 2007 18:48:17 |
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