By: Haddy Touray
The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Seedy S.K. Njie, has reaffirmed the critical role of technical and vocational skills in shaping The Gambia’s future, stressing that skills development not academic degrees alone will drive the country’s sustainable growth and economic resilience.
Hon. Njie made this statement while addressing the graduating class of Bansang Upper and Senior Secondary School at their graduation ceremony held on Saturday under the theme: “The Role of Education in National Development.”
Congratulating the graduates for their hard work and perseverance, Hon. Njie reminded them that their success was not by chance but the result of their commitment, the sacrifices of their families, and the dedication of their teachers and communities.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he tells the graduates that education remains “the most powerful weapon” to change the world, but underlined that its true power lies in transforming societies when it goes beyond classrooms and certificates.
Reflecting on the country’s progress in expanding access to education, Hon. Njie noted that significant strides had been made in recent decades to make schooling more inclusive and accessible to every Gambian child. He highlighted the government’s continued investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres across the country.
“These centres are not just learning spaces but engines of innovation, self-reliance, and nation-building,” he said. He encouraged students who might not pursue university education immediately to consider enrolling in TVET institutions, which offer practical, marketable skills in fields like agriculture, carpentry, electronics, hospitality, construction, and digital technology.
Hon. Njie challenged the graduates to approach the future with courage, integrity, and purpose. He reminds them that success today is no longer defined by degrees alone but by the skills, values, and dedication one brings to community and country.
He concluded by urging the graduates to be bold in their aspirations and consistent in their efforts, to reject mediocrity and pursue excellence, and to let their achievements uplift others and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours,” he told the graduates, while expressing gratitude to the school, parents, and the Bansang community for their role in nurturing the country’s future leaders.