By Maimuna Sey-Jawo
The National Coordinator of Education for all Campaign Network has stated that this nation cannot be developed if education is not given a priority.
Siyat Gaye made this statement while delivering a speech at the opening of a two-day capacity building forum for EFANet members.
The forum was organized by Education for All Campaign Network the Gambia (EFANet) for its members and other partners and was held at the Regional Educational Directorate Region 1 in Kanifing.
The aim of the two-day forum was to bring members together to share information and also reflect on their successful stories to see the progress made, some of their challenges and map out the way forward.
Mr. Gaye went on saying that EFANet is a National Education Coalition which comprises civil society organisations that advocate action for education for all.
According to the EFANet Coordinator the aim of EFANet is to influence policy change by mobilizing, building and strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations in order to complement Government’s effort in defending education as a fundamental human right.
“It will be more meaningful if we come together as a network and join our effort to complement each other in order to make a greater impact in moving the education agenda in this country forward,” he emphasised.
For his part, the Chairperson of EFANet Bakary Badjie said the forum provides them with the chance to put their acts together by way of sharing information and ideas, supporting each other and continue networking.
Badjie challenged all participants to take the forum seriously, noting that the essence of any training is to acquire the requisite skill but more importantly to apply the skills learned, hoping that all participants will do after the training.
He added that EFANet has been in existence for many years and over the years they have made reasonable progress.
Sajar AK Sanyang the chairperson of the Association of Lower Basic School Heads also spoke at the forum. He described the forum as very timely and challenged the participants to make the best use of it.
