Authors Support Government's School Book Printing Contract.
The Association of Gambian Authors for Schools (AGAS) backs the government's book printing deal with GPPC. This comes after the Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) criticized the contract.
GTU said schools lack enough books and subject range. They also cited poor delivery. However, AGAS claims these issues are not true.
The authors say the contract aimed to cut waste. In the past, money was given to principals to buy books. But they did not always supply them properly.
So, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) turned to GPPC and AGAS. GPPC is the national printer, and by law, it must print all government school materials.
Top officials, including the vice president, supported the plan. It was meant to use limited funds wisely and benefit students.
MoBSE asked GPPC for the number of books needed before printing. They also contacted principals for enrollment data, but this information was never provided.
The contract states that books should be sent to regional offices for principals to collect. GPPC did this fully. Taking books from offices to schools was not their job.
Some principals did not pick up the books, and others got them but did not give them to students. AGAS questions whether GTU cares about disadvantaged public school pupils.
The authors say other books can still be used in schools. They deny claims that the materials don't cover the full curriculum. MoBSE's curriculum department approved all of AGAS' content.
AGAS believes the deal will save the government a lot of money. Usually, Ghana and Nigeria supply books for senior schools.
The group says all subjects are ready to be printed and sent to schools.
The Association of Gambian Authors for Schools (AGAS) backs the government's book printing deal with GPPC. This comes after the Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) criticized the contract.
GTU said schools lack enough books and subject range. They also cited poor delivery. However, AGAS claims these issues are not true.
The authors say the contract aimed to cut waste. In the past, money was given to principals to buy books. But they did not always supply them properly.
So, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) turned to GPPC and AGAS. GPPC is the national printer, and by law, it must print all government school materials.
Top officials, including the vice president, supported the plan. It was meant to use limited funds wisely and benefit students.
MoBSE asked GPPC for the number of books needed before printing. They also contacted principals for enrollment data, but this information was never provided.
The contract states that books should be sent to regional offices for principals to collect. GPPC did this fully. Taking books from offices to schools was not their job.
Some principals did not pick up the books, and others got them but did not give them to students. AGAS questions whether GTU cares about disadvantaged public school pupils.
The authors say other books can still be used in schools. They deny claims that the materials don't cover the full curriculum. MoBSE's curriculum department approved all of AGAS' content.
AGAS believes the deal will save the government a lot of money. Usually, Ghana and Nigeria supply books for senior schools.
The group says all subjects are ready to be printed and sent to schools.
