The transformed school (St. Martin’s Basic Cycle) gathered hundreds of visitors and citizens of Kartong to show how their children are doing their best to be counted. The school is a host to several schools who come to visit them and the area. Their hospitality has been rated as one of the best and many other schools have appreciated their gesture towards strangers.

Pa Harry Badjie remembers his conversation with the Catholic Education Secretary, Emil Kujabi when the task was given to him to head the school at Kartong then Emil Kujabi said to him; “Now prove yourself, here is the challenge.” This statement has since been the motivating factor to his continuous stride to development in line with the Millennium goal. “Thank you Mr. Kujabi for this, it keeps making me strong every day,” Pa Harry said.

Pa Harry Badjie addressing his fellow principals and those in the same profession said, “Life is full of opportunities which will be open to anyone to receive and merit, that they may begin to appreciate your innate worth and offer the same compassion and respect that you would give to others.”

Compared to other far away schools, St. Martin’s Basic Cycle recounted their achievements saying: Under him the school provided furniture, through Ingared School, Danish Gambian Friendship Association, World Bank, CCF. The school also in line with the principal’s vision in 2002 in collaboration with his staff were able to get a staff quarter with the help of CES, AID, LINK, DFA Ireland. They secured solar electricity for teachers’ quarters and classes for night studies, which is compulsory from Grades 7 to 9. The school’s fencing project is still on course, yet to be completed. Renovation of three classroom blocks was done by SDF. Mr. Roche sponsorship has been able to sponsor 76 students while Alingsa’s sponsoring 57 students.

“I am also delighted to announce that no sooner than later, more Solar panels will be mounted for 24 hours. I believe that Charging of mobiles, lights in staff houses and computer would be in full use soon. The Poultry house (project) is about to start and the building is ready. A new and well built toilet with a reserve tank is now on going and would be completed soon.” He was happy to report that girls’ enrollment is more than boys comparatively. In 2005/2007 boys numbered to 338 and girls were 352.”

Talking on constraints, life does not go without such as many other schools would be St. Martin too is engulfed with such and have been looking around for help and are still soliciting for such help to let them help others into higher heights. Many see the principal’s move as helping not only the school but the society in which the school stands and he is bent on helping as such.

He says, “No matter how best you have or want to achieve your goals there are bound to be constraints or short comings. Some of which are: The lack of an equipped Home Science classroom for better results. We lack a computer laboratory to enable our students acquire computer skills, especially when we are expecting solar power. There is a very big need to have a Science laboratory, equipped to meet the needs of the children. We have provided Metal and Wood Work as subjects but there is no workshop formulated for that purpose. We need one to enhance a good practical knowledge to improve on their skills for a better future. We badly need to extend the solar light from Grades 1 to 4.” Pa Harry Badjie stressed for some minor improvements which he said would be seen only when people come to visit the school and decide to give a help in hand especially citizens and those who passed through the school and are now in responsible positions and or are out of the country. “My development drive of the school must be shared with parents in one way or the other in the community,” he said.

According to the hard working principal, the school registered some academic successes with the help of CES, REO, PTA who helped to create an ideal learning atmosphere for teachers and pupils. “With the lack of manpower resources and inadequate resources and many other problems my staff and I did not relent to let our children excel though we did not reach our desired goal but we are in the process of reaching it.” He pointed out that the percentage passes in the years fluctuated. “In 2004/2005, we had 40% passes, (our first attempt), in 2005/2006 we had 45% passes and in 2006/2007, we had 61% passes. We keep progressing as years come and go,” he said. Academic success he said is their priority and they would leave no stone unturned to reach their goal and “I ploy for your continued assistance.”

Pa Harry Badjie says, “Before a baby walks he or she would have to place the hands on the knees of someone first then can stand and walk.” He thanked all that have been helping the school in all capacity. He urged all philanthropists, citizens of Kartong to take the challenge and develop the school and their community. He thanked Modou Lamin Jarjou living in USA, a citizen of Kartong, commonly known as M, living in America, who had helped the school when they badly needed help towards their Speech and Prize Giving ceremony. He asked those Gambians in the Diaspora to see reason to help a school willing to improve and to improve the society.

The Guest Speaker, Bai Matarr Drammeh resoundingly gave a flash back of the village and how schools were not many but with high corporation. “I gained admission abroad and went to study not as a “Bombster” but a learner. Life is not easy,” he said.

Bai Matarr Drammeh, a native of Kartong and a highly educated man, said teachers teach everything but do not teach children how to find job. He said they would rather tell you all about how job can be acquired by “connection.”

He advised that when finding a job one should first find out about the institution you want to be employed in. Try to know about the secretary and upon facing her ask about her family quoting names. She would direct you straight to the MD you are asking for. He further said that people should not just write, “Application for any vacant position,” that it is wrong, “One should be specific,” he said. He gave his experience on how he was taking newspapers from door to door in USA while he was studying and how his friend, Darboe had influenced him to leave the job and go for another. He thought packing books was heavy for him but Darboe convinced him and he stayed on. He said he told him a wanted a table and pen job, but it was not possible. In his boss absence they packed all books off as his master would do. The boss came back and was angry and said, why and how did you do that? After my explanation he gave me a table and chair to take charge of invoices. He cited his experience with his boss when he saw ghettos in a developed nation and said, “We owe it to ourselves to develop.”

He further said he told his wife he wanted only 250 Dollars to return home to The Gambia and leave them there. And he made it through on his return. He talked about his successes ranging from the repairing of the Banjul beach through his construction company facilitating it, by a Deutch Company, the formation of Great Alliance Insurance, “For all I have done shows that there is nothing the human mind cannot do,” he said. Including my being the president of the Gambia Chambers of Commerce, he said. Planning and discipline are vital for such and you should listen to your teachers. He thanked all present and praised Lamin Jamba Jammeh, the counselor of the area. Many invited guests and dignitaries were in attendance. To reach the school call: Tel: 00220 9701135/7783864

Prizes were given to the Nursery, Lower Basic and the Upper Basic School, past and present students.

The Greater Banjul Upper Basic School, commonly known as BS, last Friday held its annual Speech and Prize Giving ceremony at the school grounds in Kanifing.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Omar Jatta, Principal Education Officer Region One, described the event as a day of reflection for the graduation class and the school as a whole.

In his report, Omar J. Ndur, principal of the school, said that the school is one of the most improved schools in the region both in academic and disciplinary terms. This, he said, has been made possible by the philosophy “ believing in oneself” which they preach to students.

In giving a brief history of the school, principal Jatta said that the school initially belonged to Banjul City Council and was established to cater for primary school dropouts until 1976 when the government took it over. He outlined the various challenges the school faced in term of structures. These, he said, included their movement from one place to another within Banjul and finally to its current location.

On enrolment, he said that the school has a population of 1,300 students covering both morning and afternoon shifts. He thanked the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education, African Muslim Agency, Friends of Gambian Schools and all those who support the school.

On staffing he said that the school has a teaching staff of 43 and non-teaching staff of 13.

The school, he continued, entered 366 candidates for 2007 GABECE out of which 314 passed and only 22 failed. He pointed out transportation and furniture as major constraints facing the school and thus appealed for assistance.

Yamai Secka Jack, Association Peace Corps Director for Education, was the guest speaker at the occasion.

She encouraged the outgoing students to work hard, be respectful and disciplined in order for them to become responsible citizens. “Your result in the grade nine exam will determine your future. Continuing education is a matter of must,” she told them.

The occasion was marked by drama and a change of office by the student’s council.

Prizes and certificates were awarded to deserving students.

The final of the Upper Nuimi District tournament, organised by the Upper Nuimi Sports Committee, will take place this weekend  between Mass Sosseh of Kerr Mama and Wallidan of Fass Omar Saho.

Solely sponsored by Cherno Omar Jallow, National Assembly Member of the area, Sunday’s final will take place at Albreda football field.

A handsome prize of D7,000 with a giant trophy awaits the winner of the championship, while the runners up will be awarded D4,000 with a trophy.

The final is expected to be graced by four Secretaries of State namely; Mass Axi Gaye for Youths and Sports, Ousman Sonko of Interior, Momodou Kotu Cham of Forestry and Yankuba Touray of Fisheries.

The president of the Gambia football Association, Seedy /MB Kinteh, and the National Assembly Member of the area, Hon. Cherno Omar Jallow, will also grace the final.

According to Bai Dodou Jallow, member of the Upper Nuimi Sports Committee, the occasion will be used to present D110 balls that where donated to them by the Washington State Sports Association.

Up to 34 schools in The Gambia recently participated in the World Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC).

WCPRC is an annual event organised globally by Children’s World an NGO based in Sweden which works towards educating children on democracy and their rights. Candidates for this year were Jose Fina Condori from Peru, Agnes Stevens from the United States and Somaly Mam of Cambodia.

The event, which was set aside for children to vote for the rights of the child, started on the 3rd of April and ran until the 11th.

In The Gambia the Child Protection Alliance (CPA), a leading body in the protection of children’s rights, dispatched officials to the event. The group was led by Mr. Badjie and Mr. Kujabi of CPA and they monitored the voting processes in those schools selected to take part.

Elections were held at St. Joseph’s ex-Pupil Lower Basic Old Jeshwang, Simon Bolivar LBS, Bakau Upper Basic, Gambia Methodist Academy and Serekunda LBS among others.

Mr. Kujabi, speaking as voting was going on at St. Joseph’s ex-Pupil, expressed delight at the successful conduct of voting at the school. He underscored the need for children to be given much protection and care. He revealed that there were no problems encountered during voting at the school and added that it was the first time the school had taken part in WCPRC.

For her part, Mrs. Hannah Cherry, Headmistress at the school, also expressed similar sentiments. She commended her staff for their cooperation.

In Old Jeshwang Simon Bolivar LBS Madame Elisabeth Ndow, Deputy Headmistress, and Lamin J. Ceesay, schools monitor in the Region One, rated the school as one of the best models around. Deputy Ndow expressed happiness at the fact that her school was participating for the first time. She commended President Jammeh and his government for protecting the rights of children.

She further added that her school will continue to participate and do its best for the development of The Gambia. Madame Ndow finally outlined her personal commitment and dedication to continuing the good work and revealed that there is a huge amount of cooperation between staff members at the school.

Binta Chorr delivered the well-received closing remarks.

In Bakau UBS, Adama Samateh and Fatou Ann all emphasised the importance of voting in their lives as it will provide them with their own rights and safeguard their welfare.

Their Principal, Mrs. Tilda Willan, also expressed gratitude to CPA for their continued support in protecting children against violence, abuse and exploitation. She applauded CPA for their remarkable support and urged them to keep up the good work.

In Serekunda LBS, where lots of entertainment was put on, candidates distributed their manifestos and plans for if they are elected.

Addressing their supporters at the rally in the school the three candidates all promised the electorate that, if voted in, they would strive to improve the welfare of young people.

One of the candidates, Agnes Stevens who stood for the United States, informed supporters that her party is the only party they should vote for, adding that they are synonymous with development.

The results of the vote are yet to be released as few schools have sent their votes to the CPA offices in Bakau.

Trust Bank (Gambia) Limited has for sometime now been promoting the culture of academic excellence through its annual scholarship awards to outstanding students in the Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examination. Each year, ten students are given the sum of five thousand dalasis each to take care of their educational needs – books, tuition fees, uniform, etc.

“We, the Trust Bank, are passionately committed to the promotion of quality education as a prerequisite to national development,” Mr Dodou Nyang, marketing and sales manager of the bank, said. He is exactly right because no nation can rise on ignorance. If we are serious about advancement, then we have to commit more of our resources to the training of our children, as Trust Bank has been doing. We believe that money spent on giving quality education to our children is money well spent because they will in due course use their knowledge and skills for the development of the nation.

It is not as if Trust Bank is the only corporate entity that provides scholarships to students in this country. We saw during the convocation of the University of the Gambia that there are other organisations and individuals who are also committed to giving every child who has the potential a chance to better themselves. Quantum Associates is one of them. And there was also the Dr Lenrie Peters Prize for the best graduating English student. But Trust Bank has been consistent over the years.

Besides the scholarships, Trust Bank should sponsor educational programmes on television and radio. For instance, they should identify veteran teachers who are good at the core subject areas – English language, mathematics, the sciences, and then buy airtime on GRTS to have them teach these subjects. If it is well organised, it will enable our children to spend quality time with the TV and radio.

If it is possible, they should also get the telecommunications operators – AFRICELL, GAMCEL, and COMIUM, to use the mobile phone to stimulate interest in learning by organising quizzes in the core subject areas. And successful winners should be handsomely rewarded. There is too much pandering to the lower and more ephemeral things of life in our society; we should devote more time to the matters of the soul.

In the long history of the world, the greatest and richest nations are those that have given pride of place to learning. America is what America is today because they spend sleepless nights studying; Japan is great because they treasure knowledge, China and India are on the rise today because they don’t joke with knowledge acquisition. We can’t have it otherwise. It is this culture of progress through knowledge that Trust Bank (Gambia) Ltd has set in motion in this country. It is a progressive step.

As part of its 10th year anniversary celebrations, Trust Bank Gambia Limited, a leading bank in The Gambia, yesterday held a raffle draw at the bank’s headquarters in Banjul.

The raffle prize includes an air ticket to Ghana and cash amount of 1500 US dollars.

One Ms Binta Bah Saidy emerged as the lucky winner.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr. Oreme Joiner, General Manager, Banking, at the Trust Bank, said the presentation is part of the bank’s 10th anniversary. Mr. Joiner indicated that the 10 years of the bank’s existence has seen excellent banking services and described the period as successful.

He maintained that Trust Bank is out, not only to make profit, but to benefit the people, noting that the bank is not only dealing with companies but individuals of all walks of life.

He added that the bank has been fully participating in nation building.

"The bank has been taking part in health, education and sports development in this country," he stated.
 
He noted that the raffle was in fact geared towards the promotion and development of sports, as the winner of the draw is given the opportunity to witness the forthcoming African Cup of Nations in Ghana.

In conclusion, Mr. Joiner thanked the winner doing business with the bank, adding that he and the entire staff of the bank are very delighted that the winner is a female, and encouraged Ms Saidy Bah to continue banking with Trust Bank.

Mr. Dodou Nyang, Marketing Manager of Trust Bank, who gave the vote of thanks, expressed similar sentiments, that the raffle draw is part of the bank’s 10-year anniversary celebration to showcase the bank’s excellent services to their numerous customers. Mr. Nyang further assured the bank’ s customers of many benefits in the future. He explained that this time the raffle bonanza was in relation to the sports sector, but a future draw would be in  the Education sector, particularly the provision of at least 10 scholarships in the Basic, Secondary, or the Tertiary level.

On a final note, Mr Nyang commended Africell Company for the provision of the software to cover the matches in Ghana.

Speaking on behalf of the lucky winner, Mr. Momodou Sanneh, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, at the Department of State for Education, indicated that he is very happy with Trust Bank, describing the bank as partners in development.

He confirmed as true that the bank has been contributing immensely in the educational sector.

Mr. Felix Ceesay of Trust Bank chaired the occasion. A good number of personnel of the marketing department were in attendance.  

As part of its drive to support Gambian, Africell, the leader private GSM provider recently held its annual beach Handball tournament at the Palma Rima beach.

Six teams participated in the tournament in which Warriors Handball club of Bakau emerged victorious. They were awarded a trophy and cash prize of D3000.00, Africell Handball Club came out second and received D2500.00 while Future Tellers clinched the third position and t hey went home with a cash prize of D1500.00.

Speaking to Pointsport, Malick Jarra, head coach of Warriors Handball Club lauded Africell for the good initiative. He said this tournament has given more recognition to the game of Handball.