The Gambia

In a population of slightly over a million, only 47% of The Gambia’s citizens aged 15 and over could read and write at even a minimal level. Further, while literacy among males was as “high” as 58%, among females it was only 37%. This illiteracy was a major contributory factor to the civil unrest the country experienced over many years.

To resolve these national plights, The Gambia’s government implemented a plan to improve education, including making a good education accessible for more young people, measures to help girls stay in school, special programs to serve poor and disabled children, and the development of new curriculum and subject matters.

Of course, key to this plan was having enough teachers to teach the increased number of students—well-trained teachers who could effectively help their students learn. Into this scene came Applied Scholastics, a secular educational organization utilizing the study technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard.

In 1999, four Gambian educators went to England and studied L. Ron Hubbard’s educational methods at an Applied Scholastics school by the name of Greenfields. They then recommended the introduction of study technology as part of the overall quality improvement program for Gambian education.

After two years of preparations, including a pilot program for 150 educators, a team of volunteer teachers began the first of a month-long series of one-day workshops in Gambia College to teach the basics of study technology. The teachers were eager to learn, and news of the workshops spread from one end of the country to the other, through flyers passed hand-to-hand and energetic word of mouth.

In the words of Amadou M. Touray, a Gambian College teacher, “Never before have I thought that learning could be made so easy.

“There are no mysteries in learning. That’s the new insight I have about the process.

“The theories and drills researched by Mr. Hubbard de-mystify the process of acquiring knowledge and skills.

“The change in me is so great and important.

“As a teacher trainer, I have discovered a simple, clear and straightforward methodology of teaching and learning.

“Transferring these new skills and knowledge to the many would-be teachers is the least exchange I have for Mr. Hubbard.”