Boost for nursery school facilitators

The Association of Early Childhood Educators (AECE) recently benefited from a sponsorship package from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for nursery school teachers in the country.

The package will support 30 facilitators to undergo a three-year Early Childhood Development (ECD) course at the Gambia College.

In this regard, the above association held a briefing season for the facilitators selected at a ceremony held at KMC chambers in Kanifing.

Speaking at a briefing session for the beneficiary facilitators, Babou Gaye Sonko, the President of the association said that their association was established in 1992, by a group of proprietors with a view to enable nursery schools to come under one umbrella.

He commended the various members who have served under the association, noting that it was the first of its kind since the inception of the association. He urged the facilitators to come out with flying colours, so as to enable them get more sponsors.

He emphasised the need to build capacities, which he added, is timely hence the state is advocating quality education. He revealed that the representatives were drawn from all the regions depending on the existence of ECD centres and their contribution towards the association. He advised the representatives to be good ambassadors of the association, as they are representatives of the whole country.

He further challenged them to sacrifice their time and work hard, noting that capacity building is not only about papers but mentally as well. He thanked the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for their support and the cordial relationship that exists between them.

Deputising for the Mayor of the KMC, Yusupha Sanyang, the Deputy Mayor of KMC called for dedication and commitment from the representatives to attain their dreams. "Enhancing skills for someone is a step in the right direction," he said.

He hailed the association for coming up with what he described as a possible thinking, while urging representatives to comport themselves.

"No nation can be developed without having people that acquire the needed knowledge. Economic growth, modernisation among others is not the only contribution to national development but education as well," he stated.

Other speakers included Deacon Emmanuel Omorodion, Vice-President of the association, Amie Jallow-Coker, Social Secretary and acting Treasurer of the association and Kawsu Sanneh, Secretary-General of the association.