NCCE out to broaden knowledge of civic rights in schools

Musa Baldeh, a student of St. Therese’s Upper Basic School, Fulla Bantang, said training will help students know a lot about their rights and responsibilities as young citizens (Photo Credit: M.S.Joof/TNBES)

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)

Kajali Janneh, a senior education officer in CRR, said students and teachers are expected to keep alive civic education activities in their schools.

“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.

Written by Modou S. Joof

 

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