UNISON,
one of UK’s largest trade unions, has inaugurated a four-classroom block in
Bijilo Lower Basic School on Wednesday.
Speaking
on the occasion, Wanta Jallow, headmistress of the school, said the classroom
block had been under construction from May to October 2016.
“This
building came at the right time because the additional classroom would provide
more conducive learning space for the children and the school would be able to
enroll more children to give them quality education,” she said.
In
2014, UNISON sponsored the construction of eight flush toilet block to the tune
of about 3,000 pound sterling.
The
head mistress said the construction of additional classroom is due to the fact
that the enrolment of the school increases on yearly basis.
Isatou
Jallow, a representative of the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Basic
and Secondary Education, said the ministry is grateful for the support of
UNISON.
“These
classrooms would go a long way in increasing the enrolment of the school,” she
said.
Omar
Jatta, director of region 2, said the gesture of UNISON could never be
forgotten.
“We
are very appreciative of the efforts that you have been putting into this
school both individually and collectively,” he told the donors.
He
noted that by supporting education, UNISON is planning the future for Bijilo
and The Gambia as a whole for it has been said that the best way to plan for a
long-term future is to educate people.
Wendy
Nichols, president of UNISON, said the inauguration of the classroom block is
“a very proud moment” for UNISON.
“As
many other speakers acknowledged, we have been involved in the school for many
years now from providing toilet block to supporting the gardens,” she said.
She
continued: “So when I became president
of UNISON, I decided we should do something more and supporting education was
the best choice.
“UNISON
has 1.3 million members and a lot walk in schools, hospitals, and energy
services. They were very willing to support the education venture here and the
result is the classroom we are inaugurating today.”
