The Gambia College School of Education, on Tuesday, held an orientation programme for students who are to undergo the Primary Teachers Certificate and Higher Teachers Certificate programmes respectively.  

The orientation was meant to expose the students to the activities, rules and regulations of the college or the status-quo.

Speaking at the ceremony, the head, school of education, Madam Isatou Ndow, urged the new intakes to work hard so as to be certified. She said that the college has for decades been training teachers but virtually half of them quit the teaching field in search of greener pastures.  

She called on the students to be committed to their courses so as to develop the teaching field.

Madam Ndow revealed that some students come to the college only to be certified, noting that this trend, if it continues, would deprive posterity of quality education.  She revealed that the college cannot provide lodging for any student as at now, as the dormitories are still under renovation.

For his part, Demba Ceesay, the registrar of The Gambia College, called on the new intakes to work together with the students’ union so as to better orientate themselves with other salient issues governing the college. He informed those without credit in English language to resit so as to be certified. He urged them to work hard academically so as to help develop the teaching industry.

Musa H Camara, president of the students’ union, congratulated the new intakes on their successful admittance and called on them to work hand in hand with the union. According to him,  every student who is admitted to the college is automatically a member of the student union and should partake in all its activities.  

He then assured them of the provision of transportation for those travelling far away from the college.

Graced by lecturers, the head of school and the students’ union, the orientation was punctuated by a question and answer session.