03/05/2023
Jerico Fula and Jerico Wolof are adjoining villages, but as the inhabitants are from different tribes, there was little interaction between them. Both villages were keen to have a school for their children to attend.
Schools For Gambia agreed to fund a Lower Basic school, so long as it was open to children from both villages. The chiefs agreed and identified a piece of land which was just outside both villages. At the opening celebration, the Alkalo’s identified it was the first time they had sat at the same table and that it was positive that their children and parents were also enjoying meeting each other.
Now, the Alkalo’s are active members of the School Committee and are also working together on a number of community developments. Recently, a local Mandinka village has begun to send their children to the school, with their Alkalo becoming a member of the School Committee.
The head teacher and his staff have made great strides in teaching and learning – The Gambia has a system similar to the one in England, where children take attainment assessments in Maths, English, Science and other key curriculum studies. Jerico Lower Basic School is higher than the National average in all subjects.
❤️💙💚
