#National News

MoBSE officials visit post-Covid-19 MRC-Holland Foundation renovation sites

Jun 23, 2020, 11:58 AM

The top officials at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, (MoBSE) on Thursday visited MRC-Holland Foundation ongoing Covid-19 renovation and construction of classroom blocks project sites in regions One and Two.

The visiting team was led by Minister Claudiana A. Cole, permanent secretary, Louis Moses Mendy and deputy permanent secretary, Jerre Sanyang and other senior officials within the sector.

MoBSE Minister Claudiana A. Cole explained the rationale behind the visit, saying it’s to monitor and prepare the grounds for the reopening of Grade 9 classes which is slated for Wednesday and subsequent reopening of all schools throughout the country.

According to Minister Cole, the ongoing post Covid-19 renovation and construction of classroom blocks is being undertaken by MRC-Holland Foundation.

The purpose of the renovation and construction of classroom blocks by MRC-Holland Foundation, Minister Cole explained, is to assess the state of the preparedness for the resumption of schools especially grade 9 classes. Thus the visit also gave the opportunity for sector officials to see for themselves the ongoing renovation and construction project sites.

The development came barely three months after the closure of all schools as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic global outbreak.

Minister Cole during the visit discussed with the school authorities the sitting arrangement for grade 9 students and advised each classroom needs to accommodate 25 students amidst covid-19 pandemic.

The project manager, MRC-Holland Foundation, the Gambia office, Henriette Braumer-Sonko, said her foundation was undertaking the exercise due to Covid-19 pandemic.

“I deemed it necessary to quickly intervene by renovating 35 schools before the reopening of all schools and the amount for the renovation exercise is pegged at D40 million from Lower Basic to Senior Secondary schools within the six educational regions in the country.

Minister Cole and team visited Tanjeh and Batokunku Lower Basic schools, Sanyang Lower and Upper Basic schools, Gunjur Lower Basic School, Bottrop Senior Secondary and Upper Basic schools, Busumbala-Farato Lower Basic School, Busumbala Lower Basic School, Sinchu Baliya Lower Basic School, Latri-kunda Upper and Lower Basic Schools.

By Lamin B. Darboe

Information Officer, MoBSE

Read Other Articles In National News
NFTR v2
NFTR members sensitised on ECOWAS Protocols
Mar 25, 2021, 11:32 AM

The Network of Financial and Tax Reporters (NFTR) Gambia Chapter on Wednesday convened a day’s sensitisation for its members on ECOWAS protocols and its related treaties in respect to Inter-state Road Transit Barriers in the sub-region.

Madi Jorbateh
‘Law leaves women vulnerable to violence’
Mar 10, 2021, 1:36 PM

A renowned Gambian rights activist cum commentator has observed that the country’s laws are not strong enough in protecting women and girls, thereby exposing them to sexual and gender-based violence.

GWF
GWF donates over 10,000 Face Masks to MoBSE
Oct 28, 2020, 12:58 PM

Gambia Women Federation (GWF) on Thursday extended magnanimity to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) with the donation of facemasks amounting to 10, 110 at a handing over ceremony held at the ministry’s main conference hall in Banjul.

Award Artistes
Creative industries award artistes in COVID-19 awareness campaign
Jul 6, 2020, 2:06 PM

In recognition of efforts of artistes, Gambia’s creative industries last week awarded musicians, poets, writers, associations, and promotional companies for their participation in the COVID-19 pandemic awareness campaign.