Hundreds of non-permanent Quranic teachers have called for support from the government, NGOs among others amid of the coronavirus pandemic which warranted the government proclaimed existing State of Public Health Emergency meant to control the spread of the pandemic in the country.
According to the Gambia Madrassa Teachers Association for Development (GaMTAD), they are not permanent staff in various Arabic schools which means they are paid based on students attendance in school ‘Daara.’
Saikou B.K. Manjang and Alim Saidykhan – President and Vice president of GaMTAD respectively on behalf of the association said “we are appealing to the philanthropists, NGOs, groups of people, Government and individuals in and outside the country to come to the aid of the Quranic Teachers whose livelihood is at stake following the closure of schools by MoBSE due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.”
According to them, they are not on fix salary compare to their colleagues who are permanent teachers with fix monthly salaries. “We wholly depend on monthly salary collect during active school days but as the situation arises, we have no other source of hope for our daily survival.”
They said they have contacted The Gambia Secretariat for the Islamic Arabic Education in The Gambia (AMANA) about this issue “and we were informed that the issue was already discussed with MoBSE officials, but we are yet to receive further respond from them on the issues.”
GaMTAD was formed two years ago with the aim of improving the livelihood of both its members and non-members in the teaching profession and also stands by their sides when they are enjoying or in difficulties situation.