The
Gambia Chess Federation (GCF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and
Secondary Education, last Friday launched the Chess in school program in The
Gambia. The event was held at the education ministry in Banjul.
The
program is aimed at further widening the thinking capacity and intelligence of
students in their academic performance in school.
Records
have shown that students playing Chess perform better in mathematics and
science subjects than those who do not. Cognizant of this and other benefits
the game can add to student’s intelligence and mind set, education officials
considered introducing chess in the school curriculum.
Speaking
at the ceremony, Amado Jallow, GCF President commended the ministry for
supporting his federation to launch the program, saying it has been the
federation’s dream to have games inculcated into the school system.
“We
had to work for a couple of years to achieve this great feat knowing that chess
can add value in our educational system by helping students do well in critical
subjects,” he said.
Mr
Jallow thanked Musa Mendy who played a vital role in ensuring the program is
launched, adding that with the support of education ministry and FIDE there is
high hope for a smooth implementation of the program.
According
to him, plans are already outlined on how to get the program started.
Deputy
Permanent Secretary at MoBSE Jerreh Sanyang lauded the chess federation’s
commitment and resilience to have chess introduced in the school curriculum.
He
said, chess is a game that sharpen a person’s mind and having it inculcated it
in the education system will greatly help students perform better in
mathematics and science subjects like it had proven in other countries,
including the US, Russia among others.
Mr
Sanyang also reiterate the ministry’s commitment to provide a quality and
accessible education to all Gambians. He highlighted that in chess every move
is important as it improves players concentration and thinking before making
moves.
More
than twenty schools have been identified across the country for the
introduction of chess in the school system with the materials already in the
country.
The
program will be coordinated by the chess federation and supported by MoBSE and
the chess world governing body ‘FIDE’.
