Dr. Habibatou Drammeh launched a five-day educational retreat at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre on August 4, 2025. The Basic and Secondary Education Minister addressed delegates about structured pedagogy methods for early literacy and numeracy instruction. The retreat continues through August 8 with participants from multiple organizations working on foundational learning improvements.
The minister referenced UNESCO data showing 617 million children worldwide lack basic reading and math skills. She described education as a transformative force for creating equitable societies and emphasized that literacy and numeracy serve as essential life skills rather than mere academic subjects. Drammeh highlighted partnerships between her ministry, Learning Masterminds, World Bank, and UNICEF for developing contextual teaching strategies.
UNICEF Country Representative Nafisa Binte Shafique praised the ministry for organizing the retreat and noted structured pedagogy's global success in improving learning outcomes. She mentioned existing programs like the Zero Out of School Project that provide foundations for expanding structured teaching methods across Gambian schools.
The minister referenced UNESCO data showing 617 million children worldwide lack basic reading and math skills. She described education as a transformative force for creating equitable societies and emphasized that literacy and numeracy serve as essential life skills rather than mere academic subjects. Drammeh highlighted partnerships between her ministry, Learning Masterminds, World Bank, and UNICEF for developing contextual teaching strategies.
UNICEF Country Representative Nafisa Binte Shafique praised the ministry for organizing the retreat and noted structured pedagogy's global success in improving learning outcomes. She mentioned existing programs like the Zero Out of School Project that provide foundations for expanding structured teaching methods across Gambian schools.
