Child Fund (The Gambia), in collaboration with their affiliated federations, such as Kaira Nying, Samasang, and Eastern Foni, in the West Coast Region, last Friday held training for Aflatoun teachers on child centre approach at Jamisa Skills Centre in Brikama.
The three-day training that targeted 90 teachers across West Coast Region schools was meant to build their capacity on programmes to better understand the use of child centre approach such as children working individually, in pairs as well as in groups.
Speaking at the occasion, Horija Touray Dibba, Child Fund Infant and Child Coordinator, said they launched the programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in the West Coast Region in 2010.
According to her, aflatoun targets children from 6 to 18 years to inspire them to socially and economically empower themselves to make changes in their lives.
She expressed satisfaction over the implementation, adding that it is operating in 18 lower basic schools in the region.
This year the project has targeted 2160 student beneficiaries revealing that aflatoun is not only implemented in The Gambia.
He noted that the initiative is for teachers to guard the children to take the lead.
For his part, Babucarr Suwareh, Regional Education Director for region two, said that since the inception of the initiative it has continued to re-enforce the education policy of the country.
He adduced that the concept of advocating for savings is good for raising money as well as for maintaining resources both at home and in school.
He implored on Child Fund to renew their commitment of expanding the initiative, assuring that his department will continue to support.
He challenged the teachers to learn about challenges and practise them, as well as to partner with sister schools to share knowledge again from the training.
However, he also encouraged them to continue the support of aflatoun in school while further commending Child Fund for the initiative.
Mustapha Kebbeh, Programme Manager of Child Fund, said that over the year’s Child Fund has been engaging in child protection and development.
“Of recent, we have programme on youth development,” Kebbeh said.
“This is an important milestone for us. Government is doing all its best to afford quality education to all children,” said the programme manager, who also revealed his delight for partnering with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to complement their efforts.
Aflatoun education, he said, supports children socially and economically to be civic leaders, as well as familiarizing with the culture of saving which when inherited, children will grow up to be responsible citizens.
“We are part of partners, who believe children have a voice,” he noted.
Speaking earlier, Edrisa Cham, Samasang Federation manager, said that is one of the important outcomes in the crusade in educating children.
He commended the education department for their pivotal role in implementing the programme, most especially the teachers.
