GAMBIA: Tracking Teachers’ Attendance In Schools; Rlg Phones To The Rescue

Many developing nations continue to explore the efficient use and application of ICT devices to improve social services.

In the small West African state of the Gambia, the government has begun a project to use mobile phones to track the attendance of teachers in schools.

The country’s Minister for Basic and Secondary Education, Fatou Lamin Faye who was addressing the official commissioning of Rlg Assembly Plant Complex near Banjul over the weekend gave little details about the innovation. She however said teachers especially at the basic and high schools as well as those in rural areas will be affected by the project.

She said the project is part of interventions to enhance quality education delivery in schools and ensure discipline among teachers.

The Minister said the project was conceived after numerous concerns over poor attendance of teachers in classrooms which often reflect the poor academic performance of pupils and students.

She said the location of Rlg’s Plant strengthens the government’s hand to successfully implement the project using mobile phones to be assembled locally by Rlg Gambia.

“We can reflect today on the quest for vibrant entrepreneurship growth and progress for our vision 2020 and we can think ahead to a future of continued achievement and success in the Gambia. We salute today Rlg Gambia’s resolve to serve the entire spectrum of the country’s population by offering a variety products and solutions in the supply of phones and its accessories”, the Minister told the function.

She said her government was considering the use of locally assembled laptops by teachers to improve teaching and learning.

The Gambia has a population of 1.7 million people and is seeking to use education, technology and tourism to advance the course of economic emancipation.