The Education Students Association (EDUSA) of the University of The Gambia recently condemned, with a profound sense of concern, urgency, and dismay, the alleged violent knife attack by a student against a teacher at the Yunus English School.
The students’ body, composed of university students on training to become education administrators, some of whom, if not most, are already active teachers, underscored that such acts of abuse in schools not only violate the rights of the teachers, but also pose an ominous circumstance for all teachers and the education sector at large, and needs attention.
It thus expressed its solidarity with teacher comrades and used the opportunity to call on the relevant authorities to take swift and appropriate measures to address the alleged
unfortunate circumstance.
“Moreover,” it posited, “we call on the stakeholders in the education sector, especially the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Gambia Teachers’ Union, to come up with applicable measures that will ensure the lives and rights of teachers are respected and not threatened, as well as to avert the recurrence of such menacing acts in schools.”
The body iterated that a conducive teaching and learning environment is one where both teachers and students feel safe and accepted, further highlighting that if such behaviours are normalised in educational settings, they will shake the very foundations built centuries ago.
Similarly, it reminds all students to cherish discipline, abide by school rules and regulations, and respect their teachers, relaying that the teacher and the school are symbols of hope, stability, and progress in every society, and the values they carry and represents, must be jealously protected without hesitation.
The student-led university body, therefore, encouraged school administrators to apply the prescribed disciplinary measures at all times, reminded colleagues in the field to maintain professionalism and be law-abiding by operating in accordance with the law.
With the general orders, be vigilant.
“While we wish our brother and colleague a speedy recovery on behalf of the membership of EDUSA, we call on every citizen to continue supporting the teaching fraternity and the country as it strives for a relevant and productive educational system that is dependable for national development.”
Meanwhile, the matter has landed in court, and reports have it that the student alleged to have committed the purported act has been remanded as proceedings are expected to continue following adjournment.
