The reason the NTA gave for closing down both Banutu College and Stratford College of Management was that “current facilities and number of trainers were assessed to be seriously inadequate to either operate as a provider or capable of conducting the number and levels of courses to be on offer”.

To be sure, the National Training Authority established by an Act of Parliament in 2002, has regulatory supervisory and monitoring functions over all public and private skills training institutions/providers operating in The Gambia. These functions, among others, include the receipt and review of applications for registration and accreditation as a provider or to be license as a trainer for specific courses and levels.

It is good that that we have such an institution to monitor the quality of education that our children receive at the tertiary level. Most of these vocational training centres help to supply the much middle-level cadre manpower that this country badly needs. The proliferation of these schools shows that there a great need for manpower development in the country. Before now, only the Management Development Institute (MDI) met this felt need in society.

The point that the NTA is making is that quality is just as important as quantity. They are trying to ensure that schools that are not up to scratch are not allowed to prey on gullible students, employees and employers of labour that send their staff there to acquire more skills that would make them more efficient at the workplace.

But then again, the NTA has to be careful on how it goes about this assessment drive so that it is not seen to beon a witch-hunt of selected schools. Are they saying that the other schools are better equipped than the ones that have been closed down? Or are they saying that the other ones have better trained staff than the ones that have been closed down?

The NTA should about the exercise in such way that national interest is seen to override vested interest. Otherwise, the whole exercise would turn out to be counterproductive in the long run. One way of avoiding such a grim prospect is to adopt a rigorous registration process that will guarantee that only schools that are good enough are given the green light to operate in the country.

Ms Jobe made these remarks last Friday during an exclusive interview with The Point in her offices.

She explained that her school held a two-day staff development workshop recently for her teaching staff in order to prepare them academically for challenges ahead of them in this 2008 to 2009 school academic year.

Headmistress Jobe maintained that the workshop was in line with her institution’s belief that teachers’ professionalism should be regularly upgraded.

According to her topics like discipline, teacher/student, teacher/teacher, and teacher/ parent relationships were treated during the two-day workshop.

Headmistress Jobe affirmed that since she took over the mantle of leadership at Advance Nursery and LowerBasicSchool in 2005 she has introduced French syllabus from Nursery three to Grade 2 adding that this academic year the syllabus will be extended from Nursery three to Grade 5.

Ms Jobe informed this reporter that she has opened a new computer lab with six standard printers in her school in July this year and made a promise that by the end of next month her school will purchase extra twenty computers. She revealed that her main objective is to take her school to higher heights both academically and morally. She further asserted that it is also part of her plans to operate an Upper Basic School as well as introduce Adult Literacy classes in the near future for dropout students within the Region.

Ms. Jobe used the occasion to thank her staff who she said had been working tirelessly for the past three years by delivering quality education to students.

The Gambia Schools Books Project (GSBP), a charitable organisation, recently donated educational materials to schools. Speaking at the presentation ceremony at Tallinding Annex, the founder of the organisation, a German national Mrs. Kadz Sanyang, said the aim of the organisation is to provide quality education for all. According to her, the organisation has been assisting Gambian schools for the past five years and she therefore urged the beneficiaries to put the items to good use. She added that the organisation was set up when she first visited The Gambia a number of years ago. She revealed that in that time over 15,000 books have been donated to Gambian schools.

In receiving the donation on behalf of the Department of State, Kunkung Jobarteh thanked the donors for the benevolent gesture and assured them that the materials will be used wisely. He noted that the organisation has been helpful to DoSE and the people of The Gambia mainly in the area of education.

For his part, Mr. Musa Sanyang, representing the organisation, said they feel it is imperative to give these kinds of donations. He added that their quest is to develop education to help schools that are in need

Of help. He promised that the organisation will always help Gambian schools. Other personalities present included Mr. Alieu Darboe and Adama Ndong, the head girl of Tallinding.

Jole Riders Foundation, a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom, recently donated 300 bicycles to two schools in The Gambia. They also donated a vehicle to their partner Fabakary Touray, alias Boyo, to use for the affairs of the foundation.

Speaking to The Point, Fabakary Touray urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the donated items. He expressed his partner’s willingness to support Gambian students and revealed that the Jole Riders Foundation started their support in 2008 and have given over 5,000 bicycles to Gambian schools.

For his part, Famara Bojang, a youth leader, expressed his appreciation to the donors for their benevolent support to The Gambia. He noted that the donated items will go a long way towards improving the transportation system for students who have to travel long distances. The beneficiaries were Bansang Senior and Upper Basic School, Pakalinding Upper Basic School in the Lower and Central River Regions.

Abubacarr Sifiq Foundation for Dawah and Orphan Welfare recently organised a quiz, debate and symposium between students from different Gunjur schools. Speaking at the ceremony, the chairman Alhagie Sandang Bojang, said the competition between students from different schools is quite important as it will force students to do research and read many books.

He said that this will also nurture unity, understanding and love among the young people of Gunjur. He promised that this not a just a beginning and that there will not be an ending.

NustratSeniorSecondary School emerged victorious with 53 points, Gambia Senior Secondary came second with 48 points and Gunjur Upper Basic came third with 46 points. SiffoeSeniorSecondary School also took part and emerged with 41 points. Other schools did not participate but their reasons for not doing so were not stated.

The ceremony was graced by many residents of Gunjur and institutions. Muhammed Jobe of the Africa Muslim Agency gave the vote of thanks.

The Paper Recycling Skills Project (PRSP), a charitable non-governmental organisation in Faji-Kunda, is currently embarking on a waste management programme by collecting waste papers dumped on the streets and recycling them to make exercise books and bricks.

In an interview with the Daily Observer on Wednesday, Mr George Riegg, vice chairperson of the project, said PRSP was formed in 2001 with the aim of making exercise books, bricks, greeting cards and writing papers as valued added products from recycled wasted papers to buy school items like books, pens and pencils for schools across the country.

The project, according to Vice Chairman Riegg, is to help promote a clean and healthy environment to reduce health hazards.  “We collect dumped papers and put them to good use,” he explained.

Mr  Riegg also noted that the PRSP is trying to offer a twenty-four week training programme for early childhood development specialists.

This training would include turning waste papers into toys and giving them back to their pupils in school.  “Whatever we do, we try to involve educational aspects because the more we educate people on waste management, the better,”  he noted.

Mr Riegg added that they also intend to have exchange programmes with foreign universities and colleges in making drums so as to promote Gambian culture.

Mr Riegg finally noted that the PRSP is not without constraints, as they need funds to be able to undertake further ventures.  “We need a solar plant for electricity,” he concluded.