By: Sulayman Waan
Family Gambia Peace Education Foundation (FGPEF) sensitized the pupils of Latriya Lower Basic School on peace education on Friday at the school ground, Kombo North District, West Coast Region.
The forum aims at enlightening the students on the essential of peace, educate on the causes of conflict and mechanisms to maintain peace within the society brought together students, teachers and parents. It also sensitized the society on the relevant of peace education syllabus.
In his remark, Ousman Fofana, peace and humanitarian supervisor said the symposium will motivate the children, parents, education officers and teachers by getting firsthand information on how skills and attitude of peace as well none violent attitude to help individuals and the society.
He said forum will also help in improving the children’s public speaking habit and reading skills through presentations and this will sensitized the public on peace educations and its impacts on the society
According to him, human development cannot be attained when there is a conflict, social injustice and discrimination and there is no peace in the world considering the crimes that take place daily, noting that war, murders are result of enmity among people.
He further said Family Gambia has the syllabus to teach peace education and this covers the meaning of peace, its cause and the reason it doesn’t happen.
He added that it also covered more about conflicts and develops self-esteem in peace education behaviors to ensure people harmoniously.
“This syllabus will ensure peaceful society and national development as well promotes human rights and dignity. It create awareness in changing people’s attitude towards education because schools are becoming battle ground for children,” he said.
The peace builder said educational institutions should be responsible for producing great people who contribute positively to their society but added the school is losing the value on daily basis. This indicates there is little or no mechanism to address the current nightmare among schools.
Alieu Saine, school head described the forum as significant for education, while performing drama and quiz competition will ensure effective education in the school.
Mr. Saine commended FGPEF for introducing the initiative in his school saying it a step in the right direction and will help improve the awareness of the students as well maintain peace in the society.
Nfamara Jawneh, director of Bekayang who served as the guest speaker said the peace forum is laudable since its promoting human rights, noting the foundation was established as a result of conflict in a particular place.
“Without respect for fundamental human rights we will not have peace. Therefore, it’s essential we nurture human rights, promote the fundamental human rights of everyone so as to nurture peace in our society,” the rights activist said.
He expressed gratitude to the foundation for building the culture of peace tolerance and social cohesion in the society, noting meaningful development cannot take place in a society without respect and understanding.
“Is our collective responsibility as Gambians to serve as good ambassadors of peace, social cohesion and understanding for a better Gambia,” he noted.
