By Abdou Mbye
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), in collaboration with Rotary Clubs of Brusubi, Edmonds USA, and MRC Holland Foundation, last week officially launched two science laboratories at Kaur Senior Secondary School, and Gambia College Annex, Basse Campus respectively.
The new labs, which are fully equipped with valuable materials, are part of Rotary’s Bridge to Success Project, aimed at promoting teaching and learning of science, as well as providing access to scientific materials for practical learning in the two regions. This is hoped to encourage students to embrace the sciences, and to groom more young scientists in rural Gambia in the future.
The Principal of Kaur SSS, Mr. Amet Jeng Sey attested that the establishment of the laboratory has motivated many students to opt for the science courses.
“Before the coming of the lab, we used to have very few students in our science classes. Students with very good aggregates chose schools in the Greater Banjul Area, because schools that offer science found it very difficult to do practicals for their students. Mostly we depended on abstract teaching. However, the coming of the lab last year made us produce the best science results in provincial Gambia in the WASSCE Examination,” he said.
The Principal Education Officer at Region 5 North, Mr Sang Gomez thanked the donors for the magnificent gesture and affirmed the need for collaboration to realise quality science education in the country.
Speaking during the launch of Kaur SSS Science lab, Maggie Peterson, former president and co-chair of International Committee of Rotary Club of Edmonds, expressed good impressions about the project, and their commitment to supporting science education.
“As Rotarians, we have a shared vision, which is together we see a world in which people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in ourselves and our communities. I am so very touched and inspired by the commitment to the success of this project,” she echoed.
Delivering a speech on behalf of Dominic Mendy, the President-elect of Rotary Club of Brusubi, Mr. Alpha Jallow, explained that the Club has seven areas of focus; namely: peace and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and environment.
Lamin P. F. Manneh, past president, Foundation and co-chair of International Committee of Rotary Club of Edmonds, said the whole idea of bringing the lab to Basse Gambia College Annex, was to address the shortage of science teachers in provincial Gambia.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at The Gambia College Annex, Basse Campus, Madam Henrietta Sonko of the MRC Holland Foundation affirmed that the idea of a science lab in Basse was connected to the dream of making sure that there is enough teachers in CRR and URR for all the schools.
“We were building schools but at some stage we said why building classrooms without teachers. We need the teachers as we build schools, to teach the students and that is the whole idea of building the college. We will achieve great things here. You are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and we will continue making these areas great. I am happy that lab is named after me,” said Madam Sonko.
President Elect, Rotary Club of Edmonds, USA, Suzanne James, expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club of Edmonds for collaborating with the Rotary Club of Brusubi and MRC Holland for the shared vision to provide good science labs in rural Gambia.
The President of the Gambia College Student’s Union, Basse Campus, Mr Modi Jallow; and Wuday Gaye, both hailed the sponsors for the great support, saying it would enhance practical learning in the science domain.
