COVID —19: propels  Gambia University to digital learning.

University of the Gambia (UTG) takes prudent step towards completing the 2018/2019 academic year amid COVID—19.

Owing to momentary measures through which the President of the Gambia H.E Adama Barrow, declared the temporal stop to all forms of public gathering as well the closure of all schools and madarasas in vein to the first confirmed case of COVID—19 in The Gambia.

The UTG is setting the bar higher by introducing it’s students to the digital teaching, and learning method in determination to complete the half way gone semester that is being interrupted by the global pandemic.

“Sequel to the management’s concern in deploying all classes online due to the coronavirus pandemic which has led to the closure of the university, we are at the final stages of delivering online lectures in an effort to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 on the operations of the institution”, says Mbakeh Camara, Acting Director of University Relations, UTG.

Established in 1999, the UTG which is the highest learning institute in the country, offers approximately, eight hundred courses within it’s nine faculties. However, it is yet to introduce digital learning which would have made it easier to the shift from offline to online lecture, nonetheless, has established a special committee to ensure the effectiveness of this initiation.

Mr Camara noted that, the committee has developed an online framework to guide the teaching, and learning process which is slated to start Monday, 13 April 2020.

Following a Senate meeting on Tuesday,  Prof Faqir Muhammed Anjum, vice chancellor of the UTG said, with the extension of the state of public emergency declared by H.E Adama Barrow, there is need for alternative means of delivering lecture to students.

Furthermore, Faculty deans, as well as  Head of departments will ensure the smooth running of the online lecture in their various schools and departments.

Having the end of semester examination scheduled for May, suspended till further notice, decision on when to conduct final exams would be determined by the effectiveness of the online classes.

The idea of distance learning amid COVID—19 lockdown, pioneered from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), with the use of mass media to present lessons to student in the Primary, Junior, and Senior Secondary Schools respectively.

The Permanent Secretary at MoBSE, Ebrima Sissawo said, the nationwide school closure directly affects about 674,300 children in both conventional and islamic schools, from crèche to senior levels.

“It is estimated that 72 hours of instructional time would be lost during the initial 21 days of school closure.  More hours will now be lost due to the extension, thus the Ministry will be seriously challenged in its desire to achieve its annual target of 880 hours of instruction.”

By this, he said they decided to deliver some curriculum using alternative and innovative means, specifically through radio and television airing.

He added that, the strategy is placed along with the main objectives of sensitizing stakeholders on the dangers of COVID-19, and how to protect themself from getting infected. Moreover, it is also measure used towards the continuation of lessons throughout the State of Public Emergency.

Currently, The Gambia records a total of nine confirmed COVID—19 cases, seven of which were imported, whiles two locally transmitted. Six patients are believed to be in isolation at the MRC, receiving treatment. Meanwhile, two recovered patients were discharged, and one recorded dead.

 

By: Ebrima Bah