Matarr, yes the challenge for “data” and the like was specific to scholarship even though the author forayed into issues about the IEC and linking those who opposed Jawara (no names were given) to Kukoi. However, my questions about the funding behind the scholarships is as a result of the attribution of the preference of sending Gambian students to African universities like Nigeria to those in the UK and US a result of cost, thus attributing smart resource allocation to the authorities like the author himself. That is why I asked whether those scholarships to Makerere, Nsukka, Ibadon, Dares Salam etc, etc, were actually not funded through technical assistance programs from those countries and or the Commonwealth. This is the question, and that those not mean that there may not have been others that were funded through the Gambian public purse but certainly assistance from those countries can also not be dismissed. I just want to know may be someone here can help with some answers.

And also, I have nothing to do with the insinuation you brought in here that those educated in the West UK or US were/are superior intellectually to those who studied in places like Makerere. I did not say that especially when I consider my won intellectual formation and shaping to have taken place in The Gambia. and again, my mention of the scholarship program under Yaya is just relative and have nothing to do with the quality of education now and then. We can have that discussion another time.

And yes, I think Sidi was not as empirical in his defense as he wants those he is inviting to refute him to be. And besides, empiricism is not the be all and end all of what constitutes truth. Other methodologies can be applied to arrive at a truth especially where the statistical data is not and may never be available for objective scrutiny and presentation. Yes, if the “myth” is true as you suggested, then that is what is called nepotism.

Regards,

Nyang

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014 9:26 PM, Matarr Sillah <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Nyang, I think the challenge was specific to 'SCHOLARSHIPS' which was appropriately titled. He gave a logical explanation as to why Nigeria/Ghana and specifically Forah Bay College were the university of choice for the Govt of the day, which Ousman repeated here - resource allocation. Perhaps you are of the conviction that the education Bakary Dabo, Bala Gaye, Hassan Diallo, and so many other Gambians received from these prestigious African universities are inferior to the ones their peers received from the U.K and the U.S. If the track record were to be examined, I think your argument will not hold water simply because the most prominent civil servants during the Jawara era were educated in African universities.

Now on scholarships, Sidi really does not have to provide any data. There is no factual data in lies. He explicitly stated that as secretary to the scholarship board, they did not favor any son of minister over a son of a farmer when it comes to decisions on scholarships. He then went on to challenge the myth that during Jawara's time, scholarships were being granted to the sons and daughters of ministers while the children of farmers were being sidelined, and asked that anyone to provide evidence to the contrary. So far, nothing has been produced for the myth to be accepted as a statement of fact. Even if the myth was true, are these children of government officials not worthy of scholarships? I think this discussion would be much more of substance if we discussed if any Gambian merited receiving scholarships - son of president or son of a farmer from Dumbutto. The mere fact that you were born in Gambia should give one a chance of being considered for scholarships providing that you meet the requirements.

Yes, Yahya is sending 100s abroad in America and U.K but are they returning home to effectively contribute to the betterment of our nation? Would you say the Hassan Jallow and his pals who studied in African university are envious of their "superior" intellectualism?

Regards,
Matarr

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