The Ministry of Education cannot do it all

It is an undisputable fact that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education alone cannot cater for the educational needs of the country and her students.

This, therefore, makes it imperative for civil society organizations and charities like Jolly Riders to provide support, which is essential.

We appreciate the recent donation of three hundred and three bicycles by Jolly Riders, a UK-Gambia-based charity, to Gambian schools in the West Coast Region.

This is not the first intervention of its kind by the organisation, in complementing the government’s efforts in promoting education.

The ministry should continue to open its doors, with genuine partners like NGOs, community-based organizations, and charities, to promote the education sector.

This move, geared towards complementing the government’s effort in providing access for the attainment of quality education, should be emulated by other organizations, especially charitable ones.

The 303 donated bicycles will, no doubt, help a great deal the needy students, most of whom find it difficult to travel far distances before reaching their schools, on a daily basis.

It is now high time that the plight of students in rural Gambia, who are facing transport problems, be addressed by the education sector.

We would like to appeal to the authorities to provide enough school buses for students, who trek about 20-30 kilometres daily before reaching their schools.

The disadvantages of such a situation is that it can lead the student to perform badly in school, no matter how good the individual is.

Some parents find it extremely difficult to meet the monthly transport fares for their children.

Let us support our children, the future of our nation, and guide them in the right manner.

The beneficiaries must make sure they take good care of the bikes, and take their education seriously.

The government, parents and development partners like Jolly Riders can only facilitate learning by creating an enabling environment for students to learn effectively.

The rest is in the court of the students, and it is up to them to deliver as expected in order for them to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.