MoBSE officials Visit Post-Covid-19 “MRC-Holland Foundation” Renovation sites
By Lamin B. Darboe
Information Officer, MoBSE
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 other senior officials within the sector.
MoBSE minister Claudiana A. Cole explained the rationale behind the visit which is to monitor and prepare the grounds for the reopening of Grade 9 classes which is slated for Wednesday and subsequent reopening of all schools through-out the country.
According to Minister Cole, the ongoing post Covid-19 renovation and construction of classroom blocks is undertaking 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 her sector’s officials to see for themselves the ongoing renovation and construction project sites.
The development came barely three months of closured of all schools as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic global outbreak which Gambia is not an exception.
Minister Cole during the visit discusses with the school authorities the sitting arrangement for grade 9 students which she said, each classroom need to accommodate 25 students amidst covid-19 pandemic.
The Project manageress, “MRC-Holland Foundation” the Gambia office, Henriette Braumer-Sonko said her foundation is undertaking the execerise 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 excercise is pegged at D40 million from Lower Basic to senior secondary schools within the sixth 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.
