The Independent (Banjul)
Fatou Sanyang
29 April 2005
Banjul — Open And Distance Learning has been a utilitarian and divers delivery form of education for life long learning and human resource development. This method of education has open up the scope for access and exchange of global knowledge at a distance. It has also led to strengthening local capacities, improving livelihoods, and connecting large number of people within a short period of time.
In this regard, a three-day national forum on Open And Distance Learning has been organised by the Commonwealth of Learning. The conference, which was held in Senegambia hotel, has brought together representatives from the Commonwealth of Learning and the staff of the DoSE.
In delivering a paper at the conference, Sir John Daniel president of the Commonwealth of Learning said in December 2002, the conference of African ministers of Education held in Darussalam deliberated on education challenges facing Africa. The outcome of the meeting concluded that Open And Distance Learning 'OADL' should be considered an important strategy in addressing these challenges. He pointed out that the MINEDAF VIII Declaration advised governments to include OADL in all national plans and policies, especially in the areas of teacher training and access to basic education as well as to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Sir Daniel continued that organising this forum is a deep commitment of the government of The Gambia to explore innovative and diverse delivery education and training to all its people, adding that OADL could be a viable means of human resource development in The Gambia as it happens in many parts of the world.
He indicated that distance learning and its profile around the world will provide useful backdrop in The Gambia. He concluded that assuring of his organisation's commitment for this course and ensured that the Commonwealth will stand by The Gambia to help attain an open up education and training at all levels.
Speaking at the end of the training, the SoS for Trade Mrs. Neneh Macdoll-Gaye expressed gratitude for the organisation of this training programme. She added that the programme was a step in the right direction, noting that The Gambia like the rest of the world is undergoing a transition from traditional monolithic classroom to a more utilitarian and diverse delivery of education for a life long learning and human resource development.
SoS Macdoll-Gaye reinstated government's continuous commitment to education for all and also to explore better innovative ways of delivery mechanism to bring education to the whole country. She urged the participants to make best use of the knowledge imparted on them during this training to make it easier to move to the next level.
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