Kaur Senior Secondary School recently held their annual speech and prize giving ceremony at the school hall.

Speaking at the occasion, the Principal of the school, Mr. Alasan Jobe, commended the level of commitment and dedication shown by the staff of the school in their pursuit of the goal of quality, relevant education for all.

According to Mr. Jobe, at the beginning of the academic year there was a shortage of staff at the school. The intervention of Mr. Momodou Baba Jallow, the former Principal and the board of governors the school were able to secure three extra teachers.

Speaking on the academic performance of the students, Mr. Jobe said that they have been performing remarkably well. The school presented 97 certificates in the 2007 May/June WASSE. He said that out of the candidates presented, 75% of the students passed. This, he said, was an “utter reduction in the number of failures.”

Principal Jobe further asserted that the school is a unique institution saying, “the workers in this school are the most diligent, persevering and versatile around.”

For his part, the guest speaker, Mr. Momodou Baba Jallow, spoke on the importance of discipline saying that it is fundamental to any success in life. He cautioned the graduands that as they join the world to remember that they are ambassadors for the noble institution of Kaur Senior Secondary School.

In conclusion, he said that school-going students should always be prepared to work hard and maintain discipline and respect for their elders, parents and teachers.

The St. Martha’s Skill Centre and Nursery, owned by the Cluny Sisters, recently held their graduation ceremony in the presence of parents, students and well wishers at Barra.

Sister Christiana Fefegula, the head of the nursery department of the institution, said her school was outstanding in their area and has always excelled when they go to the Lower Basic School. “I am delighted that today parents are gathered here to celebrate another step in their children’s lives. “Education is certainly the highest thing one can give to his or her child. When these children grow tomorrow, they bring honour, fame and joy to their parents. This stage is a symbol of what is to come in the future,” she said.

In her speech, Sr. Christiana Fefegula said nursery is a transition from one stage to the other and this will go on and on until they complete and become independent. Parents need to give them support at all stages. This will not only make them self-sufficient but will also empower them to strive hard to develop The Gambia to greater heights. “The government is working assiduously to get every child going to school so that no one will be left behind. I am encouraging parents to bring their children to school to be part of this drive to success,” she stated.

Sr. Ellen Tholley, in charge of the Skills Centre, said they had constraints. She said young girls find it difficult to come to register to train and be productive. She urged young girls and women to come forward, for learning is better than silver than gold. The day ended with music and dancing and prizes were given to deserving students and children

The Administration of Nuru Din Islamic School, under UMMUL Qura Foundation, recently held a graduation ceremony for the outgoing Grade 12 and 9 students respectively at a ceremony held at the School Headquarters in Faji Kunda.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the principal of Nuru Din Islamic School, Aji Oumie Cham, asserted that the foundation was established in 1996 and funded by the Late Alhagie Mustapha Lowe. Currently the school has an enrolment of 826 students of which 375 are girls and 445 are boys.

She said this was compared to the 2006\2007 enrolment of 730 students. This shows an increase in enrolment of 96 students representing 11% of the current school enrolment in 2007\2008.

She pointed out that the school is a basic cycle school with lower, upper and senior components,

“The lower sector operate 11 classes with grade 1-6, and the upper sector operates 3 classes that grade 7-9.

She added that the senior sector operates 3 classes that are grade 10-12. “I am grateful to Allah that the performances of both sectors were extremely good compared to the performance of many Arab schools,” she said.

 Mrs. Cham pointed out that in Grade 12, 14 students sat to the certificate exams and all registered 100% passes with no failure. In Grade 9, 28 students sat for the final exams 25 students passed with 3 failures. She added that June 2008 was the first time that students sat national AMANA certificates exams and they are now awaiting results.

 Speaking earlier, the guest speaker, Sheikh Omar Qurasish who is among the founder fathers of the foundation, highlighted the achievements the school has enjoyed. He said the foundation offers sponsorship for 16 students to pursue the diploma course in Qatar and United Arab Emirates. He further said that one can be a leader without an educational background, “either in English or Abrabia.”

Others who graced the occasion were the President of the Foundation Alhagi Mustapha Cham, and the graduation ceremony was entertained by the Drama group from the school

Speaking at the Graduation ceremony, the Principal of the school, Mr. Louis Mendy asserted that the school was established in the year 1995 and temporarily located in Campama Lower Basic School operating mainly in the afternoon. He said in 1998 the construction of the permanent site was completed and the school inaugurated. He said the establishment and operation of the school was carried out by BCC as the public school was the result of the government blue print for individuals NGOS, and municipalities to complement the Government’s efforts in providing quality, accessible and affordable education for the Gambian child.

Mr. Mendy pointed out that during the first year of operation the school absorbed spill in Banjul. “ These were students who passed their grade six leaving certificate examination but could not secure admission in the school of their choice due to insufficient places. Later a sizeable number of students in Banjul were making the school their first choice,” he said.

For his part, the co-ordinator of Humanity First and a computer teacher at Garba Jahumpa Upper Basic School, Mr. Mohammed Bangura, thanked the grandaunts and advised them to continue their education career in Information Technology. He said this part is just an elementary part so there is a need to go up to university level.

Mr. Bangura therefore promised the 10 most outstanding students among the gradients that his organisation will offer them a free scholarship to pursue their diploma course in Information Technology at Humanity First. He said that to compliment government efforts in making The Gambia the Silicon Valley of Africa, “Humanity First will embark on a program that will make sure that any student who passes through the Garba Juhumpa Upper Basic School should have the knowledge to use a computer,” he said.

The Graduation Ceremony was graced by National Assembly Members; Ward Councillors, students, parents, the Major of Banjul Samba Faal and also a drama troop from the school.

In taking the floor, the PT A chairperson, Alhagie Baba Saidykhan welcomed the and praised them for their impressive turnout. He underlined the importance of the day and looked forward to seeing deserving students receiving their prizes. He encouraged others to take turns next year.

Delivering his school report the principal, Mr. Manding Ceesay, lamented the academic performance of the students. The 2006/07 grade nine Gambia Basic Certificate Examination (GABECE) results were less than favourable. The current grade nine mock exam results were not promising and Barrow Bojang’s report on first term Continuous Assessment results were not encouraging. The same report did not speak well of staff attendance and performance statistics.

Parents too did not provide good solutions to the situation. They never provided necessary requirements for their children to compete in the arena of academic competition. “Parents are not visiting school to verify attendance and performance of their children, neither do they respond to the calls by the school to enter into a payment plan for the settlement of school and computer fees,” he revealed.

Mr. Ceesay however, advised stakeholders to stop blaming each other and take concerted and collective measures that could turn the school around.

The principal, who has held the post for five months, pointed out attempts to bring about structural and operational reforms in order to pave a common purpose and shape a common direction. These really paid some dividends.

In the Regional Scholarship Pageant Competition for Lower River Region, involving nine upper basic and basic cycle levels, Pakalinding pulled out three out of five places competed. All three winners proceeded to the national level and two of them were lucky to be among the rest sponsored by President Jammeh up to university level.

The school organised a tumultuous welcoming ceremony for their philanthropist guests, “Friends of Si- Kunda”. These friends in their turn donated computer sets and stationary materials to the school.

In her turn, the Guest Speaker and new General Secretary of The Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mrs Antoinette Corr Jack, spoke on the role of parents in raising Quality/ Performance in schools, emphasised parental involvement, support and guidance as essential to the attainment of quality education for their children.

Over three hundred prizes were awarded to hardworking student’s teachers, parents and sponsors. This colourful ceremony was witnessed by the Governor, Mr. Momodou Soma Jobe and his Deputy; Mr. Momodou .S. Touray, Regional Education Director; Mrs. Majula Joof, Vice Chairperson, Mansakonko Area Council, a representative of the chief, major sponsors, special quests, parents, staff and students.

St Georges Guilds in Denmark, The Gambia Project, in collaboration with The Gambia Borden Powell International fellowship of Scout and Girl Guides and The Gambia Scout Association, yesterday, donated two 40ft containers of bio-medical items, IT equipment, school furniture, uniforms and bicycles, to 18 organisations including the Department of State for Health, President Jammeh’s treatment programme, University of The Gambia, Bwiam and Farafenni hospitals, Old Jeshwang clinic and Kansala trust, among others.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, held at the Serrekunda General Hospital, Ousman Jatta, acting chief Scourt commissioner, said the gesture was made possible with the help of retired scouts in Denmark. He called on the recepients of the gift to use it as expected. He thanked the government for allowing them duty free to clear their containers at the sea port.

In receiving the gifts on behalf of the Gambian leader, Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, the Director General of the President’s Treament Programme who also doubles as the Director of the Medical and Health Services, Dr Tamsir Mbowe, thanked St Georges Guilds in Denmark The Gambia Project and The Gambia Borden Powell International fellowship of Scout and Girl Guides and The Gambia Scout Association for the gesture. According to Dr Mbowe, the donors, on many occasions, provided largesse to the President’s Treament Programme and many other orgnisations, in recent times. Dr Mbowe added that a lot of lives have been saved since the start of the President’s treatment programme.

He assured the donors that the gesture will be put into good use.

The Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia, His Excellency Richard Shih, on Tuesday donated 100 tons of rice seed to the Department of State for Agriculture (DOSA) at a ceremony held in Banjul.

The gesture is aimed at complementing government efforts in attaining food self-sufficiency in the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr Bakary Trawally permanent secretary for DOSA called on Gambians to answer to the call made by President Jammeh for people to go back to the land. He assured the Ambassador that the seeds would be put to good use. PS Trawally thanked the Taiwanese mission for the kind gesture.

For his part, Ambassador Richard emphasised the need for concerted efforts and combined resources in order to achieve food sufficiency. He reiterated his office’s commitment in supporting agriculture in the country.

Other Speakers included, Mr. James Tsay, head of the Taiwanese technical mission.