Gambia College inaugurates eighteen classroom blocks

The Gambia College inaugurated eighteen classroom blocks on Saturday, 2nd of March; 2019.

The construction of the classrooms was funded by MRC-Holland Foundation, a Non Governmental Organization specializing on education.

The chairman of The Gambia College Governing Council, Mr. Dondeh in his welcoming remarks, he acknowledged the presence of the cabinet ministers with other high dignitaries.

Madam Hendrietta Sonko of MRC-Holland Foundation and Dutch Counselor gave a brief history of MRC-Holland Foundation in The Gambia. She also mentioned some of the activities that the Foundation is doing in the country. The activities she said include construction of classroom blocks countrywide among other things. Key among is the construction of the college annex in Basse which is in progress. “We have been going round the country and have seen many happy faces. And almost all children are going to school. Even in the most remote area in the country. But we also realize that if you build one hundred classrooms, you need one hundred teachers to be in those classrooms. That is why the training of teachers and other professionals have become a top priority for MRC-Holland Foundation,” she said.

Hendrietta further stated that the classroom blocks are built for the Gambia College School of Education to ensure that sufficient and quality teachers are trained and attained. The facilities have been officially handed over to the Ministry of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology.

Meanwhile, Abubacarr Jallow, the principal of The Gambia College, said his staff and students are able to enter into a learning environment that is not only new, but also spacious enough to facilitate teaching and learning.

Mr Jallow also revealed to the gathering that in addition to the classroom blocks, work is also at an advanced stage of a construction of a science laboratory. “A borehole is also dug to cater for the water problem which the college is facing especially when NAWEC is insufficient.” Also, he said that if those twenty-four toilets are added to the said buildings, will reduce pressure.

He further said that MRC-Holland Foundation is one of the biggest donors to The Gambia College and by extension to the education fraternity. He revealed that the foundation has pledged to renovate the old campus. Mr Jallow further stated that the foundation is also working to establishing a similar structure at the School of Agriculture which will be equipped with all necessary farming equipments.

Hon. Minister of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, Mr. Badara Joof talked about the importance of teacher education. He said that the quality of education is as good as the quality of its teachers, especially to the basic and secondary education. “If teacher quality is not good, it becomes garbage in garbage out at the level of students. But if teacher education is good, you have quality in quality out,” he said. Joof urged the staff and students of the college to make best use of what they have in other to bring out quality education to the Gambian pupils.

The Minister for works Bai Lamin Jobe renewed the government’s commitment to the development of the country based on its National Development Plan 2018-2021.

Barra Jallow, a student representative gave vote of thanks. He thanked the MRC-Holland Foundation for their support in helping the college to have sufficient classrooms and conductive learning environment that is expected to bringing quality education to the students and most importantly, setting a brighter future for the nation.