Students
and teachers in Central River Region have been trained on formation of civic
education clubs in schools to broaden and deepen their knowledge of civic
rights and responsibilities.
The
May 16-17 training for participants from Kaur, Jangjangbureh and Fulla Bantang
upper basic schools is part of a nationwide activity funded by the UN
Development Programme.
National
Council for Civic Education, NCCE, has stated students will be taught to
realize their roles as future leaders and in consolidating Gambia’s democratic
system through civic clubs, and to ensure active participation in Gambia’s
socio-political process.
The
civic clubs are meant to study, analyse and discuss the content of the
constitution and to develop a practical commitment to social justice, democracy
and equality, according to the Council.
“This
exercise is aimed at nurturing a culture of democratic citizenship among young
school goers,” Junkung K. Saidy, a senior civic education officer at NCCE, said
on Friday at the CRR forestry department in Janjangbureh.
“This
training will help enhance the capacity of teachers and students on civic
awareness, democracy and human rights as per the 1997 Constitution and increase
their participation in the governance process of the country.”
Civic
education is learning for effective participation in democratic and development
processes at local and national levels.
Ansumana
Yabou, a civic education supervisor at NCCE, said civic education facilitates
the active involvement of citizens in their own governance by enabling them to
take informed decisions.
“It
also promotes seasoned commitment to the rule of law and fair play, and
facilitates the understanding and acceptance of rights and responsibilities,”
Mr Yabou said.
Participants (Photo Credit: M.S.Joof/TNBES) |
“You
are expected to create vibrant clubs. That is why NCCE came up with the idea of
establishing civic education clubs in schools,” added Janneh of regional
educational directorate. “Civic education is a key area in human development.”
Musa
Baldeh, a student of St. Therese’s Upper Basic School at Fulla Bantang, said he
will share knowledge gained from the training and work toward setting up an
active civic club at his school.
“This
training is very important because it will help us know a lot about our rights
and responsibilities as young citizens,” he said. “I will work with my teacher
and fellow students to set up the club because it is important for us to be
aware of our civic rights and duties.”
This story was written exclusively for The Standard where it was published on
May 19, 2014. It has been republished by The Voice on May 21.
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Written by Modou S. Joof
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