The newly inaugurated Gambia College School of Education annex in Basse is envisaged to curtail the mass migration of rural dwellers to the urban areas for educational purpose. The President of the Republic on Monday, March 2nd inaugurated the multi-million Dalasi educational facility in the Upper River Region, as part of his tour of the regions to inaugurate infrastructural projects.
Funded by the Holland Foundation, the project, according to the President is his government’s fulfillment of providing education for all in the country. “The rural Gambia suffered in search of education. The government is committed to providing quality education in the country in order to reduce youth migration. The teachers will be trained; will stay and work in the community”.
He called on the people of URR and CRR to embrace this opportunity; send their children to school and make best use of the College.
Aboubacarr Jallow, Principal of Gambia College said this initiative came about due to the space challenge in the Brikama main campus. He said The Brikama will now supply teachers in West Coast, and North Bank regions while the Basse annex will supply teachers in Upper, Central and Lower river regions.
Jallow thanked Sabi and surrounding villages, former Vice President Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambanjang, Basic and Secondary and Higher Education ministries, and the President for the support.
He however revealed that the College is still confronted with some challenges like water shortage, and lack of enough vehicles for monitoring. He appealed to the government to increase the subvention of the College.
Fanta Bojang Samateh Manneh, Governor of Upper River Region, acknowledged that the CRR, Upper River Regions and other parts of the country have been confronted with teacher shortages. She asserted 90 % of the teachers never wanted to be posted in rural areas like Basse and surrounding villages but that with the college in Basse that problem will be solved.
She noted that the first batch of students of this college should show that the college has the capacity to produce capable and well qualified teachers for the schools in the country.
The Governor thanked the President for his support, the people of Sabi and surrounding villages for providing land for the college and the Holland Foundation for funding the construction. She called on the community in the area to support and take good care of the College.
Madam Henrette Brummer Sonko, Holland Foundation Coordinator expressed delight and gratitude that the project has come to reality just after 2 years it has been conceptualised.
She informed that lectures have started in the college even though the work is yet to be fully complete. She disclosed that IT, chemistry, and biology laboratories, and a two-storey dormitories with 128 beds will be built.
“This is the highest learning institution built in URR. I urge the current grade 12 students to use this opportunity to enroll in the college and students with good marks will be offer scholarship”.
The President was taken on a tour of the facilities of the college.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary General, ministers, senior government officials, Gambia college staff, college students and public.