By Ebrima Mbaye
In a quiet rural community located about five kilometres off the main highway from Taifa, one teacher is transforming challenges into opportunities for learning and inspiration. Momodou Bah, a teacher at Sare Babou Basic Cycle School, has been crowned the Regional Winner (CRR-South) of the 2026 Gambia Teacher Prize by the NAMIE Foundation, an achievement he described as ‘humbling and motivating’.
Mr. Bah described the recognition as more than a personal victory, saying that it represents the dedication of teachers working in difficult environments in the country.
“It is indeed an immense pleasure for an organisation or entity recognising the hard work of not only me but every teacher going above and beyond to carve the future of the next generation,” he said.
“I am glad to be awarded as the Regional Winner of the Gambia Teacher Prize this year,” Bah joyfully expressed.
Teaching as a Daily Mission
For Mr. Bah, teaching is not just a profession but a daily responsibility of shaping young minds.
“As a teacher, every day is a taxing day. Being with the kids, imparting knowledge to the younger generation, is something worth doing daily,” he explained.
At Sare Babou School, where resources are limited, Mr. Bah said he adopts creative teaching strategies to ensure that students continue learning despite infrastructural and material constraints.
Fighting Myths Through Community Dialogue
One of the challenges he faces, accordingly, is addressing misconceptions about education in rural communities.
He stated that: “It is indeed challenging to be a teacher in rural communities. One of the biggest challenges I face is the myth that communities have about certain matters related to education and school activities.”
To address this, Mr. Bah said he engages parents, community elders, and other stakeholders through ongoing dialogue.
“I can overcome wrong beliefs through constant engagement with crucial stakeholders in dialogue. I was not only able to give them facts to counter the myths but also win their hearts to have their full trust in me,” he added.
Message to Young People and Teachers
Mr. Bah used his recognition to encourage young people and his fellow educators to remain focused on their goals.
He said that nothing good comes by accident, noting that every success requires hard work.
“Discover your own potentials and utilise them rightfully,” he urges.
He remarked that teaching is an excellent profession. He further argues that it is a discipline that requires special qualities such as sacrifice, honesty, leadership, dedication, and determination.
Mr. Bah’s journey from a rural classroom to regional recognition highlights the critical role teachers play in shaping communities and future generations.
Despite many calls for change, rural education continues to face challenges. Educators like Momodou Bah are proving that passion, innovation, and community engagement can transform learning outcomes and inspire future leaders.
