Kuntaur Upper Basic School in Niani district, Central River Region north on Tuesday 29th January 2013, saw the inauguration of a new staff quarters and presentations of teaching and learning materials to the staff and students of the school by Danish philanthropists.
The inauguration, which coincided with the visit of 14 Danish students, accompanied by two teachers and their principal from Helsinghore Little School in Denmark is a part of their annual traditional visits to the school, dating back in 1997.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Yan, the team leader, who spoke on behalf of Helsinghore Little School, expressed delight at the gesture.
According to him, the construction of the building came as a result of last year’s visit to the school, when they saw the need to improve the living conditions of the staff for better output and academic performance.
“Last year during our visit we found out that most of the staff were in bad living conditions,” he lamented.
He said the building was supported by teachers and students of Helsingore, who saw the need to support teachers and students of Kuntaur Upper Basic School. He said the total sum of money spent on materials was D90, 000.
While stating that the construction work was coordinated by Mr. Kanimang Camara, the link coordinator, he commended everyone for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded them.
For his part, Lalama Manneh, the principal of Kuntaur Upper Basic School, said Helsinghore Little School is genuine and true friends of Kuntaur and The Gambia.
“Some of the donated materials to the school included home science equipment, learning and teaching materials, among others, aimed at complementing the efforts of government in the realisation of the education for all as enshrined in the MDGs,” he disclosed.
He commended their friends for what he described as humanitarian gesture, adding that the donation has come at a time it is badly needed.
He reiterated that the donated materials would indeed complement government’s strive to provide affordable and efficient health services to the doorsteps of every Gambian.
According to the principal, the Danish are annual visitors of the school and with their support the school has drastically improved in terms of academic prograammes and extra-curricula activities.
“In 2011, the school became 2nd position in GABECE examination and in 2012, the school obtained 3rd best student,” he disclosed.
For his part, Kaniman Camara, the link co-coordinator, said his brother Modou Camara is the initiator of the link in 1997. He reminded the gathering that some of the objectives of the link were to expose both parties (Kuntaur students and Helsinghore students) to learn and share each other’s traditions and cultures.
According to him, some of the donated materials included learning and teaching materials, sporting gears, gardening tools, home science materials, health materials and equipment for the wood and metal work technical department of the school; and materials worth over D100, 000 and D25, 000 for sponsorship of 15 students.
He said all the donated materials came from Gambian Danish Friends Society and the good people of Denmark.
Ms Gite Hansen, the principal of Helsinghore Little School, said the donation was meant to support the education and health sectors of the district.
She commended the people of The Gambia for the hospitality accorded them and then urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the materials donated to them.
Alhagie Pierre Bah, the chief of Niani district, hailed the Danish friends for their gesture, adding that the government cannot do everything for her people. He finally urged NGOs, philanthropists and the private sector to complement government’s efforts.