NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- Pearson Education, a printing and publishing company with 37,000 employees in mor than 60 countries, has been officially launched in The Gambia. The launching was held on the 4th February, 2010 at the Sheraton Hotel and Spa in Brufut, which was attended by officials of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Pearson Gambian partners Toplink Company, Local Publishers, Gambia Association Writers, Authors, Educationists, Press among others at a colorful ceremony.
Officially launching Pearson company in The Gambia on behalf of the minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Permanent Secretary Mr. Baboucarr Bouye says “with such an experience and range of services Pearson provides, I have no doubt that Pearson Education has a great potential to participate in the printing and publishing services that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education will need from time to time.”
According to Bouye, the launching follows after the company won a id to print and publish the new set of grade 7-9 mathematic and English textbooks adding that “ as I am speaking here, the books has already been delivered and I am happy to say that the quality of the books is satisfactory.”
He continued: “the celebration of this new partnership is testimony to the commitment that Pearson Education has to participate in the education sector’s activities and the Ministry, welcomes this move, as we progress,” therefore, “ with the development of our education sector, we hope that this partnership will be sustained and harnessed for the benefit of both parties,” Bouye stated.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Bouye said has through its pronouncement in the Education Policy 2004 to 2015, prioritise the provision of relevant teaching and learning materials as one of the strategies to improve the quality of education service delivery in the country education system.
PS Bouye went on, it is against this background that the Ministry undertook o develop and print core textbooks for students in grades 1 to 9 on a regular basis to ensure adequate supply of such an important learning tool in the education system.
Consequently, during the last five years, he added, the Ministry has published and printed grades 1 to 6 textbook in the core subjects of Mathematic, Science and Social and Environmental Studies which has enable the sector achieve a “one to one” student textbook ratio, revealed Bouye.
The process leading to the provision of these textbooks, Bouye noted, has attracted the interest of both local and international printing and publishing companies, which he stated, does not only demonstrate the interest they have in the education sector, but also their desire to offer valuable services and competitive costs.
PS Bouye hold the believe and hope that with more partners in the business of printing and publishing of teaching and learning materials, to create more competition, the cost of printing production will also go down.
According to PS Bouye, he was reliable informed that Pearson Education is a global leader in educational publishing, providing research-based print and digital programmes to help students of all ages learn at their own pace and in their own way.
In addition, “I am made to understand that through acquisitions, strategies alliances and organic growth, Pearson Education has put in place all the necessary pieces (educational materials) to create one of the world’s leading learning institutions,”
These pieces, he said includes a comprehensive list in testing, assessment and enterprise software amongst other educational materials.
Education PS finally thanked Pearson Education for their interest in working with the Gambian Ministry of Education, while hoping that it would be long lasting partnership as both parties move towards the development of the education system,
. Mr. Alex Moore, Africa Publishing Manager said with “our mission statement that is “Always Learning”, we are learning and always learning in countries that we work, and keep learning about the specific needs of people in areas of our operations, our attitude in education is in our mission statement.”
Justifying PS Bouye’s statement, Moore stated that “Pearson Education is a very large company in the world, is the world’s largest education company in over sixty countries, adding, the company is the leading education company in Africa.”
Part of the company, he said includes numerous global brand that is Longman, Heinemann, Penguin, Ladybird, Prentice-Hall, The Financial Times, Dorling Kindersely and many others in the world.
Pearson Education, Moore noted is a new kind of publishing business that focus on long term partnership, focus on educational solutions, technology equipments, and quality delivery system in all the countries they work.
“A successful of students is not only books but can also be having adequate teachers, classrooms conducive, trained teachers etc, an as far as Pearson is concern, we increased our focus in all these areas,” adding that “Pearson Education whether government or private, we help to develop their educational system to the fullest.”
Mr. Moore said the company delivers measurable progress in education through complete, integrated solutions. Working with ministries of education to realise education needs, understand curriculum development strategies and provide solutions.
He said the UK-based company also provides advice and services for curriculum development and qualifications, e-learning and printed and digital resources, teacher training and professional development.
“Provides academic and vocational qualifications for schools, further and higher education, public and private sector employers and e-learning providers, developing and tailoring vocational programmes for school, district or national needs,” he says.
He buttressed that Pearson Education is a specialist in local publishing in Africa, from curriculum materials to the Heinemann African Writers Series.
For Madam Katie Smith, West Africa and Bids Publisher said that the text books that have been printed and published by Pearson for Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education are specifically designed to suit Gambia’s education system.
Delivering his vote of thanks, Mr. Said Usuf managing director Toplink and also Pearson Gambian Representative thanked the Gambian leader President Yahya Jammeh, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Gambia Writer Association for welcoming Pearson to the Gambia. The official launching ceremony of Pearson in the Gambia was chaired by Mr. Cherno Barry Secretary General Gambia Writers Association.
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