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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Oct 2007 : 11:07:15
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Guys, I am terribly shocked by what I just read on Gambiajournal. It is a terrible misfortune befalling our young sisters and brothers. What has gone wrong ? Shall we discuss ?See below the Gambia journal. Thanks
By The Gambia Journal
Oct 13, 2007, 20:43
The Department of State for Education, Dose, on Tuesday 9th October released the results of the 2007 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). The examination is a successor to the British GCE, General Certificate of Education in five West African countries. The examination results provide means of comparing the quality of the education system in the five English-speaking countries in the West African region. Students from Liberia and The Gambia have traditionally performed worst, observers have noted. Yesterday’s results confirm the same trend with The Gambia trailing way behind the other countries.
According to report from the Dose, “a total number of 7383 students entered for the examination, of which 4,261 were male, 3122 female and 20 candidates were absent. The Department of State added that even though it is optional for candidates to enter for 9 subjects, the number of candidates with credits in all their 9 subjects is 48”.
Dose’s report further stated that: “48 students obtained 9 credits, 67 students obtained 8 credits, 97 students obtained 7 credits, 160 students obtained 6 credits, 189 students obtained 5 credits, 287 students obtained 4 credits, 409 students’ obtained3 credits, 538 students obtained 2 credits and 910 students obtained 1 credit”.
Additionally, Dose announced that: “137 students obtained 9 passes, 329 students obtained 8 passes, 500 students obtained 7 passes, 458 students obtained 6 passes, 454 students obtained 5 passes, 430 students obtained 4 passes, 486 students obtained 3 passes, 513 students obtained 2 passes and 782 obtained 1 pass”.
The Department of State for Education then urged all candidates to receive their individual results from their respective school
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I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 14 Oct 2007 11:12:35 |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2007 : 11:27:27
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| nyari ,the situation is very sad indeed.a youngster i was sponsoring got three credit,and he asked me ''what do i do next ?i said to him reppeat .no responsility yet this people can't endevour to study hard.or is the whole educationl system failing them? |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2007 : 13:58:33
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I fear that part of the problem may be the teaching. And NO, I am not implying that the teachers are not committed - but that they lack the training, resources and insights that others have. Of course the results ae better in the countries where the exams originate. Those teachers have access to teacher training events that can help them prepare students directly for the exams.
The Gambian curriculum clearly doesn't prepare the Gambian students for the exams (there are some very bright students there). Whilst I don't like the idea of teaching directly to exams - there, perhaps, needs to be more of this done.. But this can only be done if the teachers understand the way the exams work and so on and so on.
Perhaps the solution is for Gambia to set it's own leaving exams? Or won't they be internationally accepted? As it stand the current system is recongnised in UK at GCSE standard only. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2007 : 09:45:37
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considering there is a number of private schools included in this, I would be asking some serious questions of the schools.
is it possible to get a breakdown of the schools individual results |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2007 : 13:30:51
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I think we are right to express concern over the results. But remember the number taking the WASSCE which replaced GCE which i and many here sat to has quadrupled over the yrs. In my days few took more than 7 subjects at GCE O level. Yet out of these the percentage that got the university entry of 6credits was not up to 40% of the candidates then. Much more how many of those made it to the Sixth Form for their A levels. The period am speaking abt is abt 20yrs ago. Today wit the WASSCE alot of students are taking 9 subjects and managing crediting all. A nephew of mine sat to 9 subjects all in the sciences and got 8 credits and 1 pass. Yet this is a boy of poor background and in a semi-urban environment.
I agree that Gov't should look into the prsent situation. In our days Additional Maths was tough and managing a grade 3 was even consider very good, nowadays seeing grade 1 is not rare. So i dnt think its the exam per se, but course delivery and related issues, such as social distractions.
The solution needs a holistic approach. The gov't alone do not hold the answers to this problem. I think one of the reasons is the lack of capacity. Many gambian qualified tecahers have left the field and immigrated. The dependence on foreign teachers from the troubled sub-region has changed. Few yrs ago Nigeria revised the conditions of teachers for the better which made immigration to the Gambia a less attractive venture any longer. The Sierra Leoneans went back or went went afiield to the West. The Ghanains too most went back following the improvement of their domestic economy and others also opted to go afield to the west. Now leaving a vaccuum for indigeious Gambians to field the void. But are Gambians up to the sacrifice? |
madiss |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2007 : 14:05:18
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Madiba good points especially the last sentence
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eire
Zimbabwe
28 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2007 : 23:47:49
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There are many factors involved in a good education system which should meet both the needs of the country and the students.
1. A suitable and relevant curriculum
2. Dedicated teachers capable of teaching the subject
3. Students who are willing to learn
4. Adequate resources in the school to help the students to learn
5. A well organized and disciplined school
I Could spell out all of the above and add alot more.
i would take as an example my former school SAHS where I was fortunate to be under the tutelage and leadership of the legend Fr. Joseph Gough who was principal from 1978-83. During that time SAHS had the best results in the Gambia. And in 1983, Fr. Gough's final year, the results in SAHS created a record that will never be surpassed with 29 Div. 1 results. He provided us with a good academic environment for us to learn in with all the resources needed at our disposal, and a highly motivated and active teaching staff.
Unfortunately Fr. Gough's tenure ended prematurely due to jealously on behalf of Fr. Murphy and Bishop Cleary. Look with sadness and regret as to what has happened to my poor Alma Mater since....dropped from the best school in the country to one of the weakest and most indisciplined. |
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ylowe
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2007 : 00:09:28
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eire
When Sam Njie took over he also did a good job and it continues to be the best till the early 90s and i dont know what happened after he leff. For the school system to attract capable teachers incentives needs to be created. John P bojang in a recent interviewed with the daily observer admitted the failure of the educational system and infact went as far as saying it was better before 1994.We need to provide quality education to the younger generation so that can compete in this global economy. bye |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2007 : 08:17:11
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There is a problem retaining teachers. Teachers are shipped out over the Gambia at the governments say so. They can be miles from home and family. They have poor accommodation and poor pay. Nursery teachers have no pay.
Teachers from other African countries are subjected to racism in the schools. Then when they retire they receive no pension. Many are returning home under the present President. One teacher said he thought the President was encouraging racism to other Africans.   
Recently I visited Gambia High School. The state of some of the buildings is very poor. There are very limited resources to deliver the curriculum. In the UK pupils have teachers that have up to date training and have resources that they need provided. Also at home the pupils have electricity and therefore acess to the internet.
Gambian students are at a big disadvantage. |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2007 : 11:45:46
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For the poor, missionary schools use to be the main avenue to obtain a quality education but the government encouraged religious zealots to cripple schools like Tahir, Nasser(sp).
Nusrat is doing OK because teaching in the Urban area is still attractive, plus Bojang is doing an excellent job!
St. Peters in Lamin was almost undermined due to an irrelevant issues.
Gambiabev, Nursery education in the Gambia is a joke. I'm assuming that the government have no policy geared towards obtaining quality in what is the most crucial time of child education. |
"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2007 : 18:13:07
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Prince
There is an early child education section in the Ministry of Education looking at Nursery school education. One Madi Jatta from Gunjur used to be the Head of the Department.
Well he who feels it knows it. What do i know? |
“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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justice
United Kingdom
44 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2007 : 19:54:18
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Madi Jatta he is known to be an *** licker,A serial womanizer,a lier who is not fit to Head any department in Education, Thats why education is failing in the Gambia big time if morally corrupt people like him are enthrusted whith positions they not qualified for.
The guy is a joke a big joke and i bet any department he heads be it in education or anything else will be a joke.His life is about lies,cars & women,He should be transfered from Education to Women affairs. |
Edited by - justice on 04 Dec 2007 19:56:04 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2007 : 20:37:27
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justice thank you for your postings, i will look out for this name. you have made good points.
eire, i agree SAHS has slipped, i sponsored a student there and it was struggle, so many inside issues, never mind outside head politics. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2007 : 21:05:58
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| Does being a womaniser as alledged make one incompent to do one's work. |
“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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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2007 : 02:53:21
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It seems that he has since moved on to the provinces as a Regional Education Officer. There are many like him out there not only at Education but in the entire apparatus. In the kingdom of the blind, a one-eyed man is king. |
madiss |
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justice
United Kingdom
44 Posts |
Posted - 05 Dec 2007 : 13:50:31
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quote:
originally posted by kondrong
Does being a womaniser as alledged make one incompent to do one's work.
Well i leave that for you to answer as a man with a fine reservoir of knowledge and experience i am just your "talibeh"
Is he doing a competent work for education department the answer is no.How do you think Madi got these positions with Education? First Head of Early Education and now Regional Director of Education nothing but through ass licking and lies the guy even lie about his qualification,If he was thoroughly veted he would not have qualified for these positions.
I have nothing against the guy but he is enthrusted with a very important position and by large vital to our children's furture thus the truth has to be told.Again is he qualified to man such a post?The answer is no, As a Head of a Department one has to lead by example and this guy can't set any examlpes.
Though he has now been moved to the province but he spend most of his official time in Banjul chasing girls.
Jambo please look out for the name you will definitely concur with me.I remember one of his friend's wife discribing him as the biggest womanizer and ass licker she has ever seen. |
Edited by - justice on 05 Dec 2007 13:57:11 |
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