The gesture, handed over to senior officials of MOBSE and other stakeholders, includes school bags each containing exercise books, a mathematical set box, pens, and colour pencils.
At the handing over ceremony, Momodou Jeng, director of the Curriculum Research, Evaluation, and Development Directorate (CREDD), described the donation as a ‘timely’ intervention that would significantly ease the financial burden on families, while helping students focus more effectively on their studies.
Jeng reminded that access to basic learning materials remains a challenge for many vulnerable and underserved communities, and as such, initiatives like this one, would play a critical role in improving enrolment, retention and overall learning outcomes.
To this end, he extended special gratitude to the Country Director of Qatar Charity, Mr. Mustapha E.S. Satte, for his leadership and dedication to humanitarian causes.
According to him, Mr. Satte’s efforts reflect a strong belief in the potential of Gambian children and the power of education as a catalyst for national development.
Presenting the items, Mustafa E.S. Satte, reaffirmed his charity’s commitment to supporting the MOBSE by expanding access to quality education, strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy, promoting girls’ education, and supporting Arabic and Qur’anic schools to integrate into the national system.
“In line with the cooperation agreement signed in May 2023, the charity will seek donor support for these initiatives and, as part of today’s event, is donating 500 school bags equipped with essential learning materials to students.”
This support, he added, aims to reduce financial burdens on families, improve enrolment and retention, and enhance learning outcomes.
Receiving the items, Habibatou Drammeh, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, extended sincere appreciation to the Qatar Charity and all partners for the laudable gesture, which she said, is a demonstration of their long-standing beneficial partnership in support of education in The Gambia.
“This collaboration particularly in providing teaching and learning materials for both conventional and faith-based schools, strengthens foundational education and demonstrates our shared commitment to ensuring inclusive, quality learning opportunities for every child through collective effort.”
She thus renewed calls for continued collaboration and international solidarity to invest in the education of children; something she describes as the most effective pathway to building a brighter and more prosperous future for the nation.
