The Regional Education Directorate (RED) of region 5 recently concluded ten days communities’ sensitization campaign on the importance of Early Childhood Education and retention of the girl child in School. The sensitization campaign was funded by UNICEF and implemented by MOBSE through RED 5.
The ten day sensitization outreach campaign has already taken place in communities with low enrollment in lower basic schools in Njoreng, Njie Kunda, Mamudfana, Jawlaba, Sareh Nyanga, Mbein Wollof, Kibiri, Lebba, Palele, and Jailan Bakadajie.
The theme for the sensitization is “Community Engagements on Inclusive Education to Increase Enrollment and Completion”.
Speaking on behalf of the regional director, the Principal Education Officer (PEO) for RED 5 Lamin Juwara said the sensitization campaign is aimed at enlightening the communities on the significance of education particularly ECD enrolment in school. He further spoke extensively on the importance of the sensitization, saying that this is to raise communities’ awareness on ECD enrolment and will also avail them the opportunity to the factors affecting ECD enrolment in the areas so that the MoBSE will help to address the situation.
He called on the communities to enroll their children in school in order to contribute in the development of the country in the future, adding that the advancement of the lower Basic Schools depends on the ECD enrolment. “The development of the children relies on your guidance, counseling and motivation to build their future,” he added.
Senior Education Officer (SEO) Nfally Fofana heighted on the significance of the sensitization, noting that is instrumental in raising the rate of ECD enrolment in school. He said that government realized the low ECD enrolment within the targeted communities which gave rise to government and UNICEF to embark on outreach campaigns on ECD enrolment. He pointed out that the communities have a pivotal role to play in ECD enrolment and their retention in School.
The Islamic focal person Oustass Ahmad Jaiteh said the world’s advancement cannot be attained without education, adding that any form of education one pursues the person will get its benefits because every knowledge is valuable.
Speaking on behalf of the communities one Kebba Jallow called on parents to change their attitude towards their children enrollment in schools. He said the public should endeavor to enroll their children in school in order to raise the number of pupils in the schools so as to fight illiteracy.
by Lamin S.M Jawo