The education system I want - Muhammed

MUHAMMED BARROW, NIORO JATABA SANKANDI SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, THE GAMBIA

My name is Mohammed Barrow. I am a grade 12 Commerce Student. I have some opinions and questions to pose to the education system of my country.


When I was in junior high my dream was to become a medical practitioner. It was like an undeniable dream. I grew to love science and performed well in it. I triumphed in all my internal and external examinations. However, the lame and centralised education system has rendered my dream in ruins.


I personally stand to question and challenge the Ministry of Education for not providing the facilities and teaching staff to have a science curriculum in our school. When I told our principle that I want to study science because my dream is to be a medical doctor, he unreservedly made it clear to me that the school cannot operate a science curriculum, since the ministry has not given any materials and teaching staff to handle this particular subject area. If one wants to do science, he or she must transfer to the urban centres. This was impossible in my case, as family conditions differ and I do not wish to discuss those here.


Unfortunately, this was my fate and I had to succumb to the circumstance and study commerce. Although I am doing well in it, it would have been better if I could have followed my dream.


My demand to the Ministry of Education is for them to decentralise educational developments and privileges across the country. This will enhance our chances of achieving our career goals.


Moreover, I am not the only one in this situation. A close friend of mine wants to be an automobile engineer, and his dream

has also been shattered due to the education system’s one way focus. The current system is very narrow and gives room only for a few career goals. A great number of students are compelled to abandon their dreams and look into other areas.


The system is not relevant to all career goals and this has to change if the government wishes to produce a diverse populace of learned individuals.


There are few that make it through the harsh and unmotivated system, and most end up getting stranded on the journey to self-realisation. For instance, studying a technical field in a technical high school, does not solve the whole problem for a person like my friend. Such students face the problem of furthering their studies, and if they do, it has to be abroad with exorbitant fees, and slim chances of scholarship.


The education system needs to provide diverse areas of studies to accommodate students’ career goals.


This is the ideal education system I want.


MUHAMMED BARROW • August 28, 2023

Headlines: Inspiration, humour and advice for school leaders - Competition 2025

By Ann Beatty • August 15, 2025
Mike Fleetham of Thinking Classroom has written a book " Headlines: Inspiration, humour and advice for school leaders ". A collection of original ideas, advice from professionals, quotes, and tips to support and inspire all leaders. Perfect for new and established leaders working in education, especially headteachers. "Being a headteacher is like looking both ways before you cross the road, and then getting hit by an aeroplane." To Enter the Competition To win a copy of Headlines please share your inspiring education or life lesson in no more than 600 words. The winning article will also be published in our next edition of Engage. Send your words of inspiration to admin@stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk 📅 Deadline: 5th September 2025⁠ Stuck on Ideas? Here are some questions and prompts to get you started! What’s the one lesson school didn’t teach you, but life did? Think of a moment that changed your path, what happened? What piece of advice has helped you grow the most? When did a challenge turn into an opportunity for you? What story from your life would inspire someone on the other side of the world? What’s the life lesson that unlocked your next chapter? ⁠ Your words could uplift, empower and be seen by many. Let your story inspire the world! 🌍💡⁠ Good luck and we cant wait to read all the entries!

UNESCO ASPnet Schools Coventry

By Ann Beatty • July 8, 2025
This week our CEO Ann and Jude (SSF Ambassador) visited schools in Coventry and heard about the wonderful work that students are doing to foster peace and community connection, as part of Coventry Arts Week. We visited Lyng Hall school in the morning and met with Ms Hagan and four of the schools UNESCO ASPnet ambassadors. They told us all about their recent project. The students took their art and poetry to the 80th Anniversary symposium in Ypres and Dunkirk. They shared with us some of the poetry they had written together with the students on the field trip and some of their own poems too. They also shared their future plans for working with their local primary school on peace and community. We also had the privilege of joining Ms Hagans class where they were looking at Caliban’s tale. Here is one of the students work

A Get Moving Fundraiser - Ann's 60 Miles Walk

By Ann Beatty • June 30, 2025
For my birthday this year I had the honour to walk 60 miles (yes it was a big 0 birthday) over 3 days to support the essential work of the Steve Sinnott Foundation of which I am CEO. Education in its many forms is essential for all of us to thrive and make the most of life's opportunities. The Foundation works to ensure that as many children and adults as possible across the globe can access the human right of education. The plan was to walk with friends and supporters who I hoped would keep me smiling along the way and it felt like a good way to make use of the Foundation’s “Get Moving” campaign. Here's how my Get Moving Fundraiser went on the first day. The 13th June I started my walk in London by walking from Barnet to west Hampstead and visiting my sister at her shop at Tree of Life where I got served a nice iced coffee to keep me going.