(MoHERST) Development of TVET Strategy and Feasibility for the Madrassa

Language of Notice *

English

Deadline for submission of expressions of interest *

23-02-2024

Local Time *

12: 30

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Assignment Title: CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE MADRASSAH/MAJALIS EDUCATION AND DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR ITS INTEGRATION INTO THE TERTIARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE GAMBIA

(Individual Based Consultancy)

Reference No. GM-PPPPE-407417-CS-INDV

• Context and Background information on the Consultancy

Formal education in The Gambia is delivered through a two-tier system comprising conventional schooling where the medium of instruction is English and the Madrassah pathway where, until recently, Arabic has been the sole medium of instruction. This is due to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education's (MoBSE’s) agenda to increase access to basic and secondary education. The intervention introduced core subjects, including the English Language, into the Madrassah curriculum in partnership with AMAANA- the authority responsible for regulating Islamic Education in The Gambia.

The Madrassah sub-sector has since established itself as a viable alternative to conventional education and now caters for 23% of the children of school-going age in the country, attending 824 institutions spread across the country, in both the formal and informal system.

As the Ministry responsible for Post-Secondary Education in The Gambia, including Non-Tertiary, Tertiary and Higher Education with a focus on research, science, and technology, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) recognizes that, TVET enhances meaningful participation of the youth in national development by equipping them with the relevant hands-on livelihood skills, entrepreneurship as well as the right attitude.

• OBJECTIVES The main objective of the consultancy is to identify the gaps in the non-conventional education system in The Gambia and design a comprehensive strategy to guide the process of integrating students from the sector (Madrassah grade 12 graduates and the Majalis) into mainstream tertiary and higher education with a focus on STEM and TVET, including apprenticeship.

Specific Objectives

• Provide a comprehensive report on of the current situation of the Islamic education sub-sector (Madrasah and Majalis) in The Gambia.
• Identify the gaps in curricula, infrastructure, equipment and human and institutional capacity and develop an estimate of available Madrasah and Majalis institution
• Use the assessment results as the basis for an impactful, enduring strategic framework to improve the participation of the graduates/students from the Islamic sub-sector into post-secondary TVET, including apprenticeship
• Recommend sources of funding for the implementation of the proposed strategy

• SCOPE AND TASK The assessment will involve an examination of the non-conventional Arabic education (Madrassah and Majalis) and develop a comprehensive roadmap for possible integration into post-secondary education with a focus on STEM and TVET.

The main tasks to be undertaken are:

• Conduct a situational analysis of the non-conventional education (Madrassah and Majalis)
• Develop a prospective note and a sector action plan based on the findings from the analysis
• Identify any potential gaps and provide recommendations (curriculum, human and institutional capacity including infrastructure; T/L resources, lecturer capacity; leadership and management, etc);
• Produce a sector strategy document, which compiles the analysis, the prospective note and the sector action plan in consultation
• Provide a comprehensive strategy on how to fill the gaps and mainstream Madrassah and Majalis into post-secondary STEM and TVET The consultancy will span for a period of three (4) months from the date of the award of the contract.

• Individual Qualifications -Minimum requirements: This section details the expected profile of the consultant. The person shall have a proven track record and experience in the non-conventional education system, specifically Madrassah and Majalis.

Qualifications-The individual should have the following minimum requirements:

• Advanced university MSc/PhD degree in education or any relevant fields.
• Minimum of 5+ years of relevant professional experience in Madrassah or Majalis education and Higher Education management within The Gambia and Africa Region.
• Proof of at least conducting two (2) similar projects successfully
• Proven experience of working on policy related issues, especially in the relevant area.
• Good interpersonal skills and excellent communication (written and oral English Language skills)
• Ability to work independently after consultations.
• Ability to appreciate social norms, values, and beliefs of The Gambian society.
• Knowledge of dynamics governing Islamic education and employment in The Gambia.
• Experience providing technical advice to MoHERST on facilities, infrastructures, curriculum, and capacity gaps within the Islamic education system in The Gambia is an added advantage.

Submission of Expressions of Interest:

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) through the Gambia Fiscal Management Development Project, now invites eligible Individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultant firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (IC) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 to 12h30 on Friday.

Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail) on or before 23 February 2024 at 12h30 GMT

Gambia Fiscal Management Development Project GFMDP

Royal Insurance Building

2nd Floor, Kotu Bertil Harding Highway

The Gambia

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]