Analysis & Comments

By Famara Fofana These days in our country, talk of money and its usage or the lack of it seems to be a permanent fixture in most public...

A United Democratic Party (UDP) member who was stuck in an impasse with Jammeh’s military police at Fass Njaga Choi described dictator Yaya Jammeh as “the most...

Editor, I am a senior officer of The Gambia Armed Forces who is very concern about the mass promotion of officers in the army by The Chief of...

  Thank you Mr President for not only listening but acting on popular demand to remain impartial during your nationwide tour as it coincides with the NAM political...

What made sense in 2017 is beginning to be abused, and put the Gambia's sovereignty and pride into question. The idea of the ECOMIG forces transitioning to...

By Basidia M Drammeh As the nation reels from an agonizing and nightmarish natural disaster, certain members of Gambia’s business community are taking advantage of the calamity to...

President Jammeh of the Gambia has done it once more, bringing to light his controversial and irrational state of mind. From claims that he can cure HIV/AIDS,...

Nyang Njie, in his article, Eulogy to Banjul, (nyangnjie.blogspot.com) beautifully captures the slow and painful demise of Banjul as this once political, economic and cultural capital of...

The independent Gambians want the unending bashing of the socalled 'Jammeh enablers or self proclaimed 'selfless participants to nation building' jurors and judges field to halt and...

Dear Prof. Dr Faqir Muhammad Anjum,  I am writing this letter to you miles away from home with respect, profound esteem and admiration, I hope my letter will find you in a cheerful frame of attention and the finest, premium of spirits. It is probable that you may perhaps not get time to read this letter; even if you did manage this, I might not get a response from you. Yet I would like to pour my emotion out.    I’m writing this to you in the anticipation that perhaps it would make you step into the shoes of the students who currently are trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, to bring to your notice about how massively confused they all are.     Of recent I learnt that the University of The Gambia is about to launch Ph.D. programs in various disciplines. As an alumni  of the UTG I think it is  quiet important to bring to your attention matters that need to be solve before embarking on Ph.D. programs in order to make the University of The Gambia a world class university in the sub region and the world at large.     I don’t deny the fact that The University of The Gambia has produced many intellects, brains and will continue to produce who are able and competent enough to compete in the Marketplace of ideas and world market of recruitment as far beyond Pluto. But despite the fact of all those  efforts we still need to double up and tight our belts for a better university we dream.     The other point is that conducting examinations in a rough mode exacts a terrible price. Ideally, examinations should and must examine and determine the nature and depth of learning of a pupil. In other words, it should be a component of quality education. However, here the motto of  getting qualitative education is not observed. If we continue on the same path, we will find ourselves in a fool’s paradise with vacant minds and degrees clinging to hands. These circumstances have compelled students to think – and who knows some might have previously done – of leaving their bachelors whereas some want to go with the flow.  What excellent  features this will pass on to our education system is unambiguously clear to all.    In reality, what happens at the UTG is that students, in attempting to reach their target in a meager time leave topics remain untouched and in this context students take recourse to “Ratification” – memorizing anything without understanding it- to reach their parents expectations.  What ensues is what may be called the trap and vortex of repulsive percentage.    Undoubtedly, this trend will not confer any laurels to our educational picture.    Both lecturers and student find it difficult to access the internet which is a top priority in the world of academia. Since we are in the 21st century where most of the thing are done through internet I see no reason why that priority shouldn’t be provided at the UTG. Similarly, there is no  dedicated computer laboratory for UTG students and internet speeds are slow, limiting downloads.    The average students at the University of The Gambia are facing problems coping with the annual increment on tuition fees associated with university education in the Gambia.    The toilet condition of the university campus Is very bad which both students and lecturers find it very difficult to use. I remember my first day when I visited the toilet at MDI campus I asked my self is this the university we dream and want to see.     The teaching/learning space is very crucial in education. Challenges related to infra-structure include classroom space, poor internet connectivity, interrupted electricity, and lack access to peer-reviewed journal articles. The current infrastructure at both programs needs expansion in order to accommodate the increasing number of students at bachelor’s level.     There are few LCD projectors and no interactive boards. Furthermore, equipment in the skill laboratories are very paramount in learning, these need updating to meet current standards and include mannequins, patient beds, and basic nursing equipment (sphygmomanometers, weighing  scales, thermometers, etc.) for an adequately functioning skills lab. Simulation facilities are available but have older models. The libraries at both programs need upgrading as many of the text books and journals are outdated by ten or more years. Some of the books in these schools are  donated by student alumni association or individual in the Diaspora.    For now the UTG should be working on how to improve their B.Sc. programs. There is no need for the rush. Most of us know what and how it takes to earn a degree in the UTG, the need to establish a research department is apparent. Students would often graduate without writing  research papers because of many reasons. Is just irrational to jump up to offering Master’s program, much more PhD.    At this point in time, the government as a stakeholder should concentrate in regulating the  tertiary educational system by reducing the number of secondary schools and increasing vocational institutions throughout the length and breadth of the country. This is good because it will address the skills shortage in the country and prepare youths with lifelong skills. Taking initiatives to refine education without the resources that needs to be implemented is wholly unrealistic and ensues as a misery in disguise on students. A case in point is the “Ph.D.” proposed program. There is not a single reason for what one should appreciate this opinion. The initiative has turned out ordinary to burn a hole in students’ pockets without giving them a good education in return.    Thank you    By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou    Alumni University of The Gambia  School of Business and Public Administration  Class of 2013 

At the 49th Janneh Commission Hearing of 15th of November, 2017, Mr. Amadou Samba mentioned my name, Salieu Taal, as one of the Solicitors used by the...

The sobering tunes of the flutes of The Gambia Police Band are soaring into the air, infusing the atmosphere as they play “Bismillaahi Rahmaani Raheem. Lillaahi n-toobi...

By Madi Jobarteh The motion by Hon. Touma Njai to summon the Minister of Fisheries to answer to issues within his area of responsibility is a step in...

It was the great poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who famously penned this reassuring truth: “Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave...

    Indeed one cannot find a nonentity as Yankuba Colley, who together with Yaya Jammeh constitute the scum of the Gambian Nation. These are individuals who have no...

  The arbitrary arrest of the NIA Legal Adviser Bubacarr Badgie apparently on the orders of the Director General of the NIA Ousman Sowe on Friday June 9...

On the surface, the looming opposition presidential contest fee hike, and its affordability or lack thereof, may seem like a benign money matter, but it is far...

Gambia’s criminal ruler, Yaya AJJ Jammeh, came to power through a military-backed overthrow on July 22nd 1994. Since then, he stationed himself as the world’s “Pharaoh” ruling...

WE THE DISOBEDIENT SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF OUR BELOVED GAMBIA, HEREBY DECLARE YAYA JAMMEH WANTED FOR TREASON, MURDER, RAPE, PLUNDER AND PILLAGE. A WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST...

      By Emmanuel Nkea   Good Morning Gambia   I acknowledge receipt of your response to my First Letter, and more particularly the request by many of you, for me to explain...