The Brikama Area Council (BAC) Tuesday disbursed over D300,000 on scholarship and financial aid to sponsor students for the academic year 2013-2014, while overall council spending on scholarships and other support rose to over D400,000.
This was revealed by the chairman of the education sub-committee of the council, Mr Ismaila Badjie, during presentation of the final payment of the scholarship and financial aid cheques amounting to D278,250, to 132 sponsored students in 56 schools within Regions 1 and 2.
Mr Badjie said the presentation has marked yet another important milestone in the history of the council for their sponsored students and to principals of the beneficiary schools.
He said the cheques were paid according to various grades, starting from Grade 7 to Grade 12, adding that students were paid according to categories.
Mr Badjie urged the principals to endeavour to help the students to submit their award letters, which will help the council to identify the students supposed to receive the scholarship package.
He advised the principals to collaborate with the council so the work would be easy for everyone in the service delivery, adding that previous presentations of payments of scholarship and financial aid in the past two months amounted to D74,000, which was paid to 34 students of Grades 9 and 12.
The latest presentation, he stated, was earmarked for 132 students of Grades 7 through 12 for the payment of scholarships and giving financial aid, which was “a big achievement for the council”.
Mr Badjie said he was proud and happy to announce that Brikama Area Council had disbursed over three hundred thousand dalasis on scholarship and financial aid for the 2013-2014 academy year.
He said that in the education sector, BAC has been a committed partner over the years and has continued to be a veritable partner of development in various activities, increasing their support bill to over D400,000 as they continue to spend on scholarships to schools, and other ventures.
While glorifying God for enabling the council to give a helping hand of such magnitude, he called on the beneficiaries to make the best use of the money, challenging the students to work hard towards the 2014-2015 academic year, to encourage and compel them as a council to do more for students.
He further advised the teachers and the principals to helpthe students to use the money judiciously as they are the future leaders, adding that the presentation of financial aid is a project that would yield more fruit in the future provided it is well utilised in the education system.
Mr Badjie also used the occasion to remind the public that BAC is an institution that depends on revenue, saying without the flow of revenue it would be very difficult for the council to deliver to expectations.
He calls on settlers in West Coast Region to pay their rates and taxes regularly on time.
In his remarks on the occasion, Brikama Area Council CEO Yusupha Manneh lauded the council for its collaboration and hard work and for giving the final scholarship package and financial aid to its sponsored students.
He noted that the payment of the scholarship and financial aid cheque was in line with the corporate social responsibility of the council and it manifests its continued endeavour to complementing the effort of government under the leadership of President Yahya Jammeh in providing access to quality and relevant education to disadvantaged children.
Mr Manneh emphasised the importance attached to the education sector, saying quality and relevant education is top on the agenda of the government, hence people need to take education seriously.
He appealed to the council to continue to strengthen their ongoing relationship and come together as a team to work and ensure they live up to expectations.
“We cannot make a meaningful development without unity,” he said, while thanking the staff for their support and assuring them of his continued support to make a difference.
Governor of West Coast Region, Alh Lamin Sanneh, in his statement, described the presentation as a clear manifestation of their corporate social responsibility, especially in supporting education.
He also commended the council for their willingness in giving support to the communities of West Coast Region, while expressing his appreciation to the council for their hard work and commitment.
He as well reminded the public to pay their rates and taxes so the council could carry on their development projects.
Amadi Sowe, representing the chairman of BAC, also challenged the parents, teachers and principals to make the best use of the money, as it is the taxpayers’ money and needs to be used wisely.
The Public Relations Officer, Modou Jonga, who doubles as the Senior Admin officer of the council, moderated the occasion.