The Gambian government has published 34 new textbooks for Senior Secondary Schools, set for use by September 2024. The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Finance and was awarded to GPPC, with AGAS transferring ownership of the textbooks. Authors will update the books every three years, benefiting from royalty arrangements as the government aims to improve resource availability and reduce costs.
The Government of The Gambia has successfully published 34 textbooks designated for Senior Secondary Schools. Malick Kanuteh, the chairman of the Association of Gambian Authors for Schools (AGAS), revealed that the project was awarded to the Gambia Printing and Publishing Corporation (GPPC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. The textbooks will be used in classrooms starting September 2024.
The financing of this initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance, which allocated funds for payments to GPPC. Of the total budget of D58.1 million, D52.8 million has already been released for the project, while GPPC initially pre-financed D28 million for production. It is important to note that ownership of these textbooks has shifted from AGAS to GPPC.
In a presentation that took place at the GPPC office in September 2024, it was highlighted that the authors’ association will have the responsibility to update the textbooks every three years. This update will be in response to any changes in teaching or examination syllabi as mandated by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MOBSE) or the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), with GPPC collaborating with both full-time and part-time contracted readers.
Furthermore, the arrangement includes royalties for the authors which are yet to be fully defined. This system is projected to save the government significant amounts annually and ensure that textbooks are readily available in sufficient quantities, effectively eliminating the need for recycling textbooks. Kanuteh expressed gratitude towards the Ministries of Finance and Basic and Secondary Education for their collaboration and commended President Adama Barrow for his visionary leadership that facilitated this initiative.
In summary, the Gambian government’s initiative to publish 34 textbooks for Senior Secondary Schools marks a significant step forward in educational resources. The collaboration between AGAS, GPPC, and the Ministry of Finance aims to provide timely, updated educational materials, ensuring students have uninterrupted access to necessary learning resources. This project exemplifies efficient resource management within the education sector.
Original Source: thepoint.gm
