Sister Jabou and Brother Matarr,

Thanks to both of you for the generous vote of thanks from the Satang Jobarteh Foundation and the GESO-Denmark. It feels utmostly pleasant for those of us in both groups riding with the rounds of thanking ourselves. Whatever that says about us Gambians, we cannot ignore the fact that only few of us, relatively speaking, are still registered with both philanthropic groups. GESO-UK has also been quite active and has provided scholarships for many students. We should urge one another to join these organisations.

Nevertheless, I am inclined to think that many more readers on this list will consider registering with either groups after learning that the activities of a group of very well-meaning and concerned Gambians and Great friends of the Gambia have pulled efforts and resources together to help SIMMA Vocational Training Centre to continue to provide training for a good number of  Gambians while providing jobs for others. 

The issue of aid to Gambia especially on the area of education is of particular importance in that this sector is greatly being  privatised. Students and pupils from well-to-do families are able to engage the services of, mostly, immigrant teachers as private tutors. Invariably these are those who score best in exams and are therefore better placed to make it to higher education institutions. This is a very serious issue and I cannot recall where Gambians, even educators and officials in the education sector ever turned their attention to it. Or have they ever?

It is becoming a fact of Gambian life that children and students from poor families, because they cannot afford private tuition, are clearly disadvantaged when it comes to scoring well in national high school entrance exams.  Should it be acceptable that ones economic means should determine ones access to education? How then will the poor fare in such a scheme of things? Are the education auhorities concerned about this matter? What do you think about it? 

GESO and other aid organisations can help in many ways but there still are huge issues wanting debate. 

Momodou S Sidibeh

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