In his welcome remarks at the presentation ceremony held at the council grounds, the Chairman of Brikama Area Council, Bakary Saibo Sanneh, expressed sincere appreciation for the response of the beneficiaries to the council’s call to come and receive the cheques on behalf of the sponsored school children.
He also expressed delight, on behalf of the BAC, to present cheques to various sponsored students.
He said the programme was all geared towards national development, and strongly believes education is the key to national development.
Therefore, he added, his council would never relent or be left out in participating to ensure that “we have a developed country through education”.
The Chairman of the Education Sub-Committee of the council, Ismaila Badjie, thanked the Almighty Allah for yet another important day in the history of the Brikama Area Council.
“We are here to witness a presentation of scholarship cheques to our sponsored students in the senior secondary schools,” he said.
“The BAC is injecting D435,000 to 152 students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 respectively,” he announced.
Badjie thanked the government through the Education Ministry for supporting Gambian children’s education.
“This was a clear indication that the education burden on parents has been gradually lifted,” he added.
Badjie assured the beneficiaries or the principals and headmasters that BAC under the chairmanship of Bakary Saibo Sanneh would continue to support the education sector for the desired goals.
He further advised the teachers and the principals to help the 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 reminded the public that the BAC is an institution that depends on revenue, adding that without the flow of revenue it would be very difficult for the council to deliver up to expectations.
He, therefore, called on settlers in the West Coast Region to pay their rates and taxes regularly and on time.
He thanked the office of the chairman, the CEO, the director of finance and all those who made it possible for “this very important programme” to take place.
In his remarks, Nabani Darboe, Senior Education Officer at Education Region One, described the day as very important in the history of both the council and the Regional Education Office under the Ministry of Education, in utilization of this fund to be paid to the needy children in schools.
He also spoke about the importance attached to the monies that are to be paid to the sponsored children, as they are from the taxpayers’ money.
He advised the parents, headmasters and principals to make sure that the monies given to this children are properly utilised.
He said the importance of the children could not be overemphasized, as they are the future leaders, and supporting them is important.
The Director of Governance at the Ministry of Lands and Regional Administration, Momodou Jallow, expressed delight to be associated with the presentation of cheques to schools for payment of school fees for the needy students.
He said the payment covers thirty-six schools comprising 152 students, and the amount involved is over D400,000.
He described the event as very significant, as it manifests the council’s readiness to plough back some of its taxes to the people they are to serve.
He said council’s spending in education shows that council is not operating in isolation, knowing that education is key and is one of the top priorities of the central government.
He said a country with highly-educated citizens is likely to be more developed than a country with a low literacy rate.
Therefore, he went on, the council targeting the needy and the poor is a step in the right direction, and this would go a long way in realizing the central government’s objective of Education for All.
Brikama Area Council CEO Mam Sait Jallow lauded the council for its collaboration and hard work, and for giving the scholarship package and financial aid to its sponsored students.
He noted that the payment of the scholarships and financial aid was in line with the corporate social responsibility of the council, and it manifests its continued endeavour to complement the efforts of the government under the leadership of President Yahya Jammeh, in providing access to quality and relevant education to disadvantaged children.
Mr Jallow emphasized 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.
“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.
The deputy Governor of West Coast Region, Musa Amul Nyassi, also lauded the council for the presentation of cheques to needy students in the West Coast Region.
He described the presentation ceremony 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.
The Public Relations Officer, Modou Jonga, who doubles as the Senior Administrative Officer of the council, moderated the occasion.
