Harriet Margaret Ndow (née Njie) (born October 28, 1926 )[1] was a Gambian educator and educational entrepreneur.[2][3][4] Ndow dedicated her life to education, leadership, and youth development which left an indelible mark on the community
Harriet Martha Ndow | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harriet Martha Ndow October 28, 1926 |
| Died | June 18, 2019 (aged 91) |
| Occupation | Educationist |
Early life and education
editNdow was born in 1926 as the first daughter of the shop owner William Njie and Elizabeth Njie. She belonged to the Wolof ethnic group and was Catholic.[2][1] She had her primary and secondary education at St. Joseph's Infant Primary and Secondary schools. After graduating from school in 1945, she went to Achimota College in the Gold Coast (now Achimota School in Ghana ) with a scholarship to train as a primary school teacher.[2][5][6] She successfully completed her studies in 1948 and returned home to begin her career as a qualified teacher at St. Joseph's Primary School in Banjul[7]. In 1955, she was awarded another scholarship to attend Portsmouth Training College in the United Kingdom, where she specialised in leadership in primary education. Her dedication to advancing her expertise led her to further studies at Oxford University, where she focused on teaching reading and mathematics in primary schools, as well as school management[8].
Career
editNdow began her teaching career 1948 as a qualified teacher at St. Joseph's Primary School in Banjul.In 1963, Harriet’s passion for education and leadership culminated in the opening of Kampama School, where she served as the head teacher.Her leadership and commitment to excellence in education led to her promotion in 1966 to Serrekunda Primary School, where she served as head teacher until her retirement in 1981 [9]. In the 1980s, with the support of the government and a World Bank loan of over $7 million, she founded several of her own schools, first the St. Joseph Nursery School and then secondary schools. In 2009, eight schools were part of their Ndow's Group of Schools.[5][6] Among them is the Ndow's Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Bakau New Town with 575 students from grades 10 to 12 (as of 2009).[10]
Awards
editIn 2014 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).[11]
Personal life
editNdow was married to Chips Ndow.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b "Mrs. Ndow A Shining Example in Academic Arena". wow.gm. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
- ^ a b c Admin, Gambia Radio (2019-06-19). "Harriet Ndow, Educationist Passes Away At 93 – Foroyaa Newspaper". Gambia Radio Stations. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
- ^ "President Barrow extends condolence to families of Mrs. Ndow, Disaster Victims in CRR, URR |". 2019-06-25. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ Sowe, Ndey (2019-06-20). "Gambia: Harriet Ndow, Educationist Passes Away At 93". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- ^ a b "Mrs. Harriet Ndow: An Indomitable Educationist". thepoint.gm. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ a b "allAfrica.com -- Gambia: Mrs. Harriet Ndow Mother of Gambian Education". 2002-10-21. Archived from the original on 2002-10-21. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ "Mrs. Harriet Ndow: An Indomitable Educationist - The Point". thepoint.gm. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Mrs Harriet Ndow, Leading Educationist, has died aged 93". Gambiana. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Mrs Harriet Ndow, Leading Educationist, has died aged 93". Gambiana. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Ndow's Comprehensive Holds Graduation Ceremony". africa.gm. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
- ^ "GCCI Business Awards 2014". Gambia.com Blog. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
- ^ "Memories of a Dedicated Educational Heroine — Eulogy to Mrs Ndow". GAINAKO. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2020-02-29.