By: Haruna Kuyateh
Ministry of Basic and Secondary School (MoBSE) in partnership with Institute for Social Reformation and Action (ISRA) with funding from UNICEF has launched distribution of 250 foam matrasses worth D415, 480.00 targeting 500 Talibehs in 20 selected Majalis Educational Institutions in the country.
The distribution was presided over the Permanent Secretary at MoBSE at Daru Rilwan of Central Baddibou in the North Bank Region.
The support is the first of kind to be provided to Majalis Educational Institution and it demonstrate MoBSE in providing quality childcare and wellbeing in the Majalis education.
Ebrima Sisawo Permanent Secretary at MoBSE commended UNICEF for their invaluable support to the ministry of promoting the welfare of children.
PS Sisawo noted that Education Policy 2016 -2030 aims at providing a nondiscriminatory in all inclusive quality education, targeting the poor and disadvantaged groups.
He said MoBSE and partners deem it necessary to support children attending Majalis to attain the education of good quality; meaning that Talibehs will not only acquire religious knowledge but also life and livelihood skills including literacy to enhance effective participation and benefit from the opportunities offer by globalization.
He further explained that the ministry is in partnership with the World Bank, Global Partnership for the Education and ISRA since 2012, supporting the integration of teaching of literacy and numeracy in the Majalis.
The partnership provided conditional cash transfer to Majali owners to purchase food and prevent children from street begging and also allow Talibehs to undertake some hours of instruction weekly literacy in basic literacy and numeracy.
The cash transfer aims to reduce farm and domestic workload on the children so that they can have more time to studies and currently CCT covers 17 Majalis centers.
He reiterated that the ministry and UNICEF will validate national strategy for the development of Majalis education.
He pointed out that the formulation of document involved Majalis owners and other stakeholders, the strategies aims to improved quality of teaching and learning, childcare and increase access to livelihood skills and income generation opportunities for Majalis.
He also said the documents also outline set up standard of Majalis curriculum, restructuring of Majalis educational levels with a view of creating a synergy between the curriculum of Majalis, Madrassah, Quranic Memorization Centres and the conventional schools.
Phoday Mamoud Kebbeh executive director of ISRA noted that the handing over of 15 Foam Matrass to Majali centre of Sheikh Tijan Touray of Daru Rilwan is would contribute to boost the morale of children.
He said the conditional cash transfer to Majalis is to supplement food ration and health of children and prevent them from begging and concentrate on their learning.
He commended the heads of Majalis across the country for their support in working with ISRA, MoBSE and Global Partnership in education and UNICEF in promoting and protecting the welfare of children.
Dr. Burama Jammeh, director of Curriculum Research and Development at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education commended government and partners for their commitment of improving standard of learning and teaching condition to enhance performance.
Meanwhile, Education Policy 2016 – 2030 aims at providing a Nondiscriminatory in all inclusive quality education, targeting the poor and disadvantaged groups.