The Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Personnel Management Office, Mr. Lamin Jawara has said that the main objective of the National Assessment Test (NAT) is to enhance the standards of learning in schools.

Mr. Jawara, who was speaking last Tuesday 21st July during the graduation of nursery and lower basic school pupils, at Vital Preparatory Nursery and Lower Basic School, located behind Bahai National Centre, said the test determines the promotion of pupils in grades 3 and 5 to grades 4 and 6. He stated that it is no longer mass promotion for all grades, but selective promotion for grades 3 and 5.

According to DPS Jawara, the National Assessment Test seeks to ensure that only those pupils that have better mastery of the curriculum being taught in these grades are promoted to grade 4 and 6, respectively. DPS Jawara said government has recognised the significance of Early Childhood Education. As he put it, it facilitates the teaching of the basic knowledge of cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills.

He said the new education policy underscored all the important need for parents and teachers to work together in promoting educational standards of children.

DPS Jawara told parents that they must be aware that their children’s generation is a generation of competition and the survival of the fittest.

He urged the parents to create an enabling environment for their children both at home and at school, to facilitate their learning and called on them (parents) to have their children’s interest in whatever they do.

Rev. Alieu Bayo Director of Vital Preparatory School and Mr. Omar J. Ndure, the President of the Gambia Teachers Union presented the certificates to the graduates, while Mr. Conteh chaired the ceremony.