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Gambian Schools - Basic Page
Basic Gambian Schools Page
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The Gambian Education System
Nursery schools & classes Nursery education is not
really part of the Gambian state system, Many nurseries are
privately run, though some nursery classes are attached to Lower Basic
and Basic Cycle Schools.
There can be up to three 'Grades' in nursery schools, which are
referred to as N1, N2 and N3.
Lower Basic Schools (LBS) (Also known as Primary Schools)
These provide education for 7 to 13 year olds, in Grades 1 to 6.
There are both state run and independent schools.
Upper Basic Schools (UBS) (Also know as Junior Secondary
Schools) These provide education for 13 to 16 year olds, in Grades
7 to 9. Again there are both state run and independent schools.
Basic Cycle Schools (BCS) These schools are mainly in rural
areas. They combine both LBS and UBS with all Grades from 1 to 9.
Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) (Also known as High Schools)
These are equivalent to UK Sixth Form Colleges, and provide
education for 16 to 19 year olds, in Grades 10 to 12.
Further Education Tertiary education in The Gambia is
provided by the University of the Gambia, and a number of other
post-secondary institutions including the Gambia College (GC), the
Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI), the Management
Development Institute (MDI) and the Gambia Telecommunication and
Multi-Media Institute (GTMI), which all provide degree level
courses. There are also many Skills Training Centres which provide
training in practical, technical and commercial subjects.
ABC Nursery
Ebo Town, Jeshwang
ABC LBS
Ebo Town, Jeshwang
Abuko Nursery
Abuko, near Kanifing, Banjul
Abuko LBS
Abuko, near Kanifing, Banjul
Schools starting with A
Abuko UBS
Abuko, near Kanifing, Banjul
Aj Sherimang Nursery
Gunjur
Albion LBS
Banjul
Albion LBS was the main beneficiary of a pen and pencil
collection, organised by seven year old Oliver in 2007.
Read Oliver's story
and see some photos taken at Albion. During February 2012,
Tom
Kimber, a teacher from
Westdene Primary School
in Brighton, organised a group of teachers on a week-long visit (
news
item about Brighton teachers visit). Albion was also the venue
for a
Creative Writing Workshop in
February 2013.
Albreda LBS
Albreda, Upper Niumi, North Bank
Albreda is a historic town on the north bank of the
Gambia River, established in about 1520. It is at the centre of a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, associated with Kunta Kinteh and the slave trade.
Albreda Lower Basic School was in great need of help, with many
dilapidated and ruined buildings. Pageant has helped with renovation of
the kitchen and building new toilets, and we are currently fundraising to
complete the rebuilding of a ruined classroom block.
Albreda UBS
Albreda, Upper Niumi, North Bank
Anna Marie Rivier BCS
Brikama
Appletree International LBS
Serrekunda
Appletree International UBS
Serrekunda
Armitage SSS
Janjangbureh, Central River Region
Schools starting with B
Bakalarr Nursery
Upper Niumi, North Bank
Bakalarr BCS
Upper Niumi, North Bank
Bakau New Town LBS
Bakau New Town, Kanifing near Banjul
Bakau LBS
Bakau, near Banjul
Bakau UBS
Bakau, near Banjul
Banyaka LBS
Western Region
Chestnut Grove School in Balham, London has links with
Banyaka LBS. In May 2011 they raised funds to complete the construction of
a school library: (
see
our Chestnut Grove page) In 2013, Chestnut Grove held a
Comedy Evening to raise funds for Banyaka. See these two news
items: (
September 2013
&
October 2013)
Barra-Essau UBS
Essau, North Bank
Sarah Hayes has been helping this school for some time, and
sponsored a pupil there. She raised funds for the school with a number of
sponsored runs, including the 2009 Marine Corps 10k and the 2011
Chester Marathon. (
more
about Sarah and Chester Marathon) In February 2010 Pageant
held one of the
Microscopy Workshops at this school. (
details
of 2010 workshops)
Brikama LBS
Brikama, Western Region
Brikama Methodist Nursery
Brikama, Western Region
Brikama Methodist LBS
Brikama, Western Region
Brikama Methodist UBS
Brikama, Western Region
Brikama Methodist Academy (SSS)
Brikama
Brikama Sobeya Nursery
Brikama, Western Region
Brikamedina Pipeline Nursery
Brikama, Western Region
This nursery school was set up as a local initiative, on land donated by
the village mosque. Pageant funded the completion of building work -
rendering the walls, laying concrete floors and fitting doors and windows.
Brufut LBS
Brufut, Kombo North, Western Region
Burusibi SSS
Busumbala, Western Region
Busumbala Farato LBS has received furniture, materials and donations from
Pageant. Pageant is associated with the
Women's Groupin Busumbala.
Busumbala Farato LBS
Schools starting with C
Campama Nursery
Banjul
Campama LBS
Banjul
Campama Lower Basic School was brought to Pageant's attention in February
2007 because of its poor state of repair. See
our Campama page for more about
this school. There was a subsequent visit in October 2007. In February 2008 Pippa's niece,
Frances, and some friends spent a couple of days teaching the children at
Campama. In April 2008, Pageant unloaded a container of furniture and
school equipment at Campama - see
Pageant News blog. In October 2009, Pageant saw the new nursery
class, and helped to assemble some bookshelves from a container load -
more about 2009
visit. Campama LBS is currently Pageant's normal location for
unpacking containers.
Charles Fowells SSS
Charles Jow UBS
Bundung, Serrekunda
Charles Jow SSS'
Bundung, Serrekunda
Crab Island UBS
Banju
Crab Island Upper Basic School is located just south of the centre of
Banjul, on the river side of the peninsula. See the main Crab Island page
above and also the following updates:
Dec 2005
-
Feb 2006 -
March 2006
Core Comprehensive SSS
Kanifing, Serrekunda
Schools starting with D
Daddy Jobe SSS
Daranka LBS
Lamin
Deeper Life Nursery
Kotu, Kanifing near Banjul
Deeper Life Nursery School was first visited in
October 2003 and several times since to see Pageant sponsored
children. They have received furniture, materials and donations from
Pageant.
Deeper Life LBS
Serrekunda
Don McMaeth Foundation LBS
Kololi/Kotu
Don McMaeth Nursery School has received furniture, materials and donations
from Pageant.
Schools starting with E
Essau SSS
Essau, North Bank
Essau is on the north bank of the Gambia River, opposite Banjul, and close
to the ferry terminal. Essau SSS received a
Science Kit
from
Collyer's School in February 2006, organised a
Science Fair
in September 2006 and was the venue for one of the
Practical Science
Seminarsin February 2007.
Schools starting with F
Fajikunda Family Daycare and Nursery
Fajikunda
Farato Nursery
Farato, Kombo South
Farato LBS
Farato, Kombo South
Foundation for Disabled People
Banjul
The Foundation for Disabled People (FfDP) operated in The Gambia from 2001
until 2013. They set up a workshop producing specialised all terrain wheelchairs
and trained disabled people to build, maintain and repair wheelchairs. They ran
a computer training centre for people with a physical handicap. FfDP supplied one
of its special wheelchairs to Sarjo, a Pageant sponsored student, (see
Sarjo's wheelchair)
and Pageant funded a further batch of 15 wheelchairs for disabled students from
different regions of The Gambia. Mr Opesan Gabriel Kenny, founder of FfDP, has
now returned to Nigeria, where he set up the
Kenopyso Foundation.
Schools starting with G
Gambia College
Brikama
Gambia High SSS
Banjul
Gambia Senior Secondary School (also called Gambia High School) in Banjul
was visited twice in November 2005 - see
1st visit -
2nd visit
It received a Science Kit from
Collyer's School in 2006
and was one of the locations for Pageant's
first Physics Workshop.
In February 2007 it was a venue for a
Practical Science Seminar.
Gambia SSS has been helped extensively by
Keith Farrington,
who helped them establish a Computer Science Lab. See news item
March 2006.
Gambia Home Economics Skills Centre
Old Jeshwang
The Home Economics Skills Centre (GHESC) has received furniture, materials
and donations from Pageant.
Gambia National Tourism Training Institute
Kanifing
The Gambia National Tourism Training Institute (GNTTI) was formerly known
as the Gambia Hotel School.
Gambia Telecommunications and Multimedia Institute (GTMI)
Kanifing
GTMI is primarily the training wing of the Gambia
Telecommunications Company (Gamtel), but it also takes fee paying
students. Its program includes science and technology related areas.
Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI)
Kanifing
GTTI provides two and three year craft, technician and business training
programmes leading to certificates or diplomas in Business Studies,
Computer Studies, Accountancy, Engineering and Construction. It received a
Science Kit from
Collyer's School in February
2006 and was the venue for an offshoot of the
Practical Science Seminarsin February 2007 when
Joe
Brock taught a lesson at one of the Automotive Engineering
classes.
Garba Jahumpa UBS
Banjul
Gola Fortunata LBS
Kanifing
Glory Baptist SSS
Old Jeshwang
Grace Institute of Professional Accounting
Serrekunda
Greater Banjul UBS
Abuko
Greater Banjul UBS and several of the above schools have received
furniture, materials or donations from Pageant.
Gunjur LBS
Gunjur
Gunjur UBS
Gunjur
Gunjur SSS
Gunjur
Schools starting with H
Hilary Emery Nursery School
Talinding, Serrekunda
Hilary Emery Nursery School was originally called
JTT Nursery
School (
see
JTT pages), but was renamed when it moved into new premises
funded by the
African Oyster Trust. Pageant member Aris Harrison-Price
coordinates assistance given to this school by Nuneaton Lions Club, Ashby
Castle Rotary Club, Coleman Primary School and other organisations in the
Leicester area.
Humanity Nursery School
Ferato Mema
Humanity Nursery was first visited by Pageant in April 2011 when it
consisted of one classroom catering for 18 children. Pageant helped with
funding for a second classroom block, followed by toilets, mains water,
electricity and general refurbishment. Pageant has also paid for a teacher
to take a three year course at Gambia College. A Pageant team has visited
Humanity Nursery every April, with all sorts of fun lessons and games.
Schools starting with I
Imani LBS
Institute of Professional Administration and Management (IPAM)
Serrekunda
Schools starting with J
Jambanjelly Daycare Nursery
Jambanjelly, W Region
Jambanjelly Nursery has received furniture, materials and donations from
Pageant.
Jambanjelly BCS
Jambanjelly, W Region
Modou Lamin is a boy who attends Jambanjelly BCS. He was born with a badly
deformed leg, so this was amputated in 2010, and Pageant then launched an
appeal to pay for the construction and fitting of a prosthetic leg. [
read
Modou Lamin's story] In April 2014 Pageant organised a
Sports Day, which you can
read about Jambanjelly BCS sports day. Pageant has also donated
sports kit and furniture and will probably be doing more there in the
future in conjunction with
Gambia College.
Jamisa LBS
Brikama
Jamisa UBS
Brikama
Jarreng BCS
Jarreng, Niamina East, Central River Region
Jarreng is more than 150 km east of Banjul, on the south side of the
Gambia River. Jarreng Basic Cycle School received a microscope in
2002,and then took part in a
microscopy competition
It was
visited in 2003
and Pageant helped the headmaster set up a chicken farming project.
However, the conditions proved to be too hot for successfully rearing of
chickens and the building has been put to alternative uses. Pageant
visited again in
February 2008.
The most recent of several other visits was in
April 2011.
A Senior Secondary School was created by the addition of Grades 10 to 12,
and this is called
Niamina SSS, Niamina
being the name of the district in which Jarreng is situated.
JC Faye UBS
Banjul
JC Faye SSS
Banjul
Jollof Tutors (Further Education)
Serrekunda
JTT Nursery School
Talingding, Serrekunda
JJT Nursery School moved into new premises in 2010, and was renamed the
Hilary Emery Nursery School. The old Pageant web pages are
still available to tell the story of JTT up to its move.
Jurunku BCS
Jurunku, Upper Niumi, North Bank Region
Schools starting with K
Kabafita LBS
Brikama
Kabifita UBS
Brikama
Kabakoto UBS
Kairaba SSS
Kanikunda LBS
near Soma, Lower River Division
Pageant visited Kanikunda LBS (alternative spelling Kanni Kunda) in
February 2014 and again in
April 2014
to check on various projects.
Kavao LBS
Kerr-Cherno UBS
Kinderdorf Bottrop SSS
King's Kid Academy
Temasu, near Lamin, Kombo North, Western Region
The King's Kid Academy (KKA) was founded in 1997 by a Nigerian missionary
to provide nursery education, expanded to Lower Basic Grades 1 to 6, and
currently (2014) is covering Grades 7 and 8 in the Upper Basic range.
Pageant started helping KKA in 2006, and two Pageant web pages cover
happenings at this school. The
first KKA page covers 2006-2007, and the
second KKA pagefrom 2008 onwards. Funds were raised by teams in
the
Plymouth-Banjul Challenge -
Desert Mice & First to the Bar in 2007 and
Transplant Titans
in 2008. Students from Oakham School (UK) and Copenhagen International
School funded a new toilet block in July 2008, as part of the
Toilets and Textbooks project. Pageant visited in
October 2009to
assemble some bookshelves. In
June 2011 Lauren & Dan spent some time teaching at KKA as part
of their Education Degree Course. Pageant visits KKA regularly, such as
April 2012,
April 2013
and
April 2014.
KMJ Nursery School
Welingara, Serrekunda
KMJ Nursery School is in Wellingara, at the southern end of Serrekunda.
Pageant first visited this school briefly in
October 2003,
then in
February 2006and
again in
February 2007.
Again in February 2007, Pageant member
Tina Boswell
carried out an
Art Projectthere.
In
February 2008,
Tina's daughter, Frances, and some friends spent several days teaching the
children. In October 2009 the school received new bookshelves. In
June 2011,
Lauren & Dan spent some time teaching at KMJ as part of their Education
Degree Course.
Kotu Prep School
Kotu, Western Region
Kotu LBS
Kotu, W Region
Kotu SSS
Kotu, W Region
Kudang BCS
Niama East, Central River Region
Kunkujang Keitaya UBS
Kombo North, W Region
Kunkujang Keitaya UBS has received furniture, materials and donations from
Pageant.
Schools starting with L
Lamin Baddy Kanteh Nursery
Latrikunda LBS
Serrekunda
Latrikunda UBS
Serrekunda
Lucy Memorial Nursery School
Serrekunda
Lutheran LBS
Abuko
Pageant held a very good Maths Workshop at Lutheran LBS in April 2014 and
will no doubt be doing more there in the future.
Schools starting with M
Mahmoud Achten Nursery School
Fagikunda, Serrekunda
Mahmoud Achten Nursery School is in Fagikunda a suburb of Serrekunda. John
Emery and Jane Bull helped to achieve some great improvements at this
school, but are no longer active there.
Maladah Nursery School
Fagikunda, Serrekunda
Maladah Prep School (LBS)
Fagikunda, Serrekunda
Management Development Institute (MDI)
Kololi/Kotu area
Mandinari LBS
Mandinari, Kombo North
Mansa Konko Teaching Hospital
nr Soma, Lower River Div
Marakissa Methodist LBS
S of Brikama, Western Region
Marakissa Methodist UBS
S of Brikama, Western Region
Masroor SSS
Yundum area
Masroor SSS has received furniture, materials and donations from Pageant
Mayork SSS
Methodist LBS
Banjul
Mingdaw UBS
Farato Village, Western Region
Mingdaw SSS
Farato Village, Western Region
Pageant ran a very successful Microscopy class at Mingdaw in April 2014
and we will probably be doing more there in the future in conjunction with
Gambia College. Mingdaw has a widely used alternative spelling Mindaw.
Misera BCS
nr Soma, Jarra West
Model SSS
nr Brikama, Western Region
Muslim High SSS
Banjul
Schools starting with N
Ndow LBS
Bakau
Ndow UBS
Bakau
Ndow SSS
Bakau
Nema-Taba Nursery School
Nemasu SSS
between Nemakunku and Sukuta, Kombo North
New Covenant LBS
Serrekunda
New Covenant UBS
Serrekunda
New Jeshwang Nursery
New Jeshwang
New Jeshwang LBS
New Jeshwang
New Yundum Nursery
New Yundum, Western Region
New Yundum LBS
New Yundum, Western Region
New Yundum has received furniture, materials or donations from Pageant.
Niamina SSS
Jarreng, Niamina East, Central River Region
Niamina SSS grew out of
Jarreng
BCSby the adding Grades 10 to 12. It was named after the name
of the district in which Jarreng is situated.
Nusrat SSS
Western Region
Nusrat has received furniture, materials or donations from Pageant.
Schools starting with O
Old Yundum UBS
Old Yundum
Schools starting with P
Pakaliba LBS
Central River Region
Palakinding Nursery
nr Soma, Central River Region
Palakinding LBS
nr Soma, Central River Region
Palakinding UBS
nr Soma, Central River Region
Pallol LBS
Central River Division
Presentation of Mary Nursery
Brikama
Presentation of Mary UBS
Brikama
Students from
Christ's Hospital did a Maths & Science day at Presentation of
Mary UBS. Pageant has given the school quite a bit of Science equipment
and we will probably be doing more there in the future in conjunction with
Gambia College.
Presentation of Mary Skills Centre
Banjul
President's Award Scheme
Bakau
There are no schools starting with Q
Schools starting with R
Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital
Banjul
The name has been changed officially to Edward Francis Small
Teaching Hospital though everyone still calls it by the old name.
Schools starting with S
Saloum Nursery School
Nemakunku, Kombo North, Western Region
Nemakunku is a village about 12km southwest of Banjul. Pageant helped
Saloum Nursery School in this village from 2005 to 2010. Funds for this
school were raised by team
Shap Ahoy in the
2006 Plymouth-Banjul Challenge.
Scan SSS
Brufut
Seino Primary School (LBS)
Bakoteh
Seino UBS
Bakoteh
Serrekunda LBS
Jeshwang, Serrekunda
Serrekunda LBS has received furniture, materials and donations from
Pageant
Seventh Day Adventist LBS
Farato
This school, sometimes called SDA LBS, is in Farato near Busumbala. They
received lots of goodies in Pageant's container load
in August 2011.
Seventh Day Adventist LBS
Old Jeshwang
Sheik Hatab Memorial Nursery School
Gunjur, Kombo South, Western Region
Known as
SHM for short, this school opened in September
2008 and caters for pupils aged from 3 to 5. It is currently the only
nursery school in Gunjur providing both Islamic and conventional
education. Pageant has provided furniture, helped to fund renovation of
the perimeter wall, build a new classroom and kitchen, replace the
collapsed water tower and provide a solar powered pump for the well. There
are links from the
main SHM
page
to all the stories about SHM. Also in April 2012, a team from Pageant
organised a Sports Day (
read
more about the sports day)
Sheik Handan SSS for Girls
Siffoe CCF Nursery
Siffoe, Kombo South, W Region
Siffoe LBS
Siffoe, Kombo South, W Region
Siffoe Lower Basic School is about 40 km south of Banjul, close to the
border with Southern Senegal. Pageant provided funds for the completion of
the new five classroom block, which was finally finished in 2008.
Siffoe UBS
Siffoe, Kombo South, W Region
Siffoe SSS
Siffoe, Kombo South, W Region
Sinchu Baliya LBS
Sinchu Baliya, Kombo North, W Region
Sinchu Baliya Lower Basic School is one of the largest primary schools in
The Gambia. It is near Serrekunda, about 10km west of Banjul. It has a
well established
Science Club
and a
Resource Centre, which was built with funding
raised by Pageant members
Linda Murgatroyd and
Chris Hyde. Team
Ibrakeforcake in
the
2007 Plymouth Banjul Challenge made Sinchu Baliya
their own special project, raising £4000 for the school. It was the venue
for one of the Practical Science Seminars in February 2007.
Sobeya Nursery School
'Serrekunda
See details of Pageant's visit to Sobeya Nursery in
February 2006.
Sobeya Skills Training Centre
Serrekunda
See details of Pageant's visit to Sobeya Skills Training Centre in
February 2006.
SOS Nursery
Bakoteh, Western Region
SOS LBS
Bakoteh, Western Region
OS UBS
Bakoteh, Western Region
SOS SSS
Bakoteh, Western Region
Pageant has given SOS SSS quite a bit of Science equipment and we have a
very good relationship with the excellent headmaster regarding
sponsorship.
St Augustine's School (UBS)
Banjul
St Augustine's Upper Basic is in Banjul. Pageant member
Keith
Farrington has been involved in supplying computers for their
computer laboratory and setting up a woodwork facility. There were visits
to see sponsored students and these facilities in
November 2005,
February 2006
and
March
2006. One of Pageant's first
Science & Microscopy
Workshops was held there [
more
about 2009 Science Workshops] and we have given them further
science equipment.
St Augustine's SSS
Banjul
St Charles Lwanga LBS
Fajikunda, Serrekunda
St Francis LBS
Kunkujang Mariama, Kombo South
St Francis UBS
Kunkujang Mariama, Kombo South
St Joseph of Cluny Nuresery
Banjul
St Joseph's LBS
Banjul
St Joseph's UBS
Banjul
St Joseph's SSS
Banjul
St Mary's Nursery
Banjul
St Peter's LBS
Lamin
St Peter's UBS
Lamin
St Theresa's LBS
Kanifing, Western Region
St Therea's UBS
Kanifing, Western Region
Sukuta LBS
Yundum, Western Region
Sukuta UBS
Yundum, Western Region
Schools starting with T
Tahir Ahmadiyya Muslim SSS
Take Care Nursery
Busumbala
Talinding LBS
Talinding, Serrekunda
Talinding UBS
Talinding, Serrekunda
Tanji LBS
Tanji, Western Region
Tanji LBS has received furniture, materials etc. via Pageant.
Schools starting with U
Unity Nursery
Banjul
In April 2014, a Pageant team visited Unity Nursery and organised singing
and dancing, followed by painting and making collages. (
fun
and painting at Unity). We will no doubt be doing more there in
the future.
Unity Comprehensive SSS
Old Jeshwang
Unity Comprehensive received a Pageant science kit, and furniture for
their library, and also microscopes from
djb microtech
(
more about the djb
donation)
University of The Gambia
Kanifing
The University has received equipment and other materials via Pageant.
Schools starting with V
Venman Atinson Nursery
Yundum, Busumbala
Schools starting with W
Wellingara LBS
Kombo North, Western Region
Wellingara LBS has received furniture, materials etc. via Pageant.
Wesley Primary School (LBS)
Banjul
In 2005, Pageant member Andrew Rattray funded the
refurbishment of the school kitchen. Since then the school has moved to
new premises in Banjul. Pageant is still helping the school in many ways,
including provision of cricket kit for their successful team in the local
schools league.
West African Insurance Institute
Banjul
Wordsley LBS
There are no schools starting with X
Schools starting with Y
Yakanu International Nursery School
Serrekunda
Yakanu International Nursery in Serrekunda was in rented premises, with
the lease soon due to run out. Alex Odell started a
project to relocate the school in new premises, and she was supported by
an enthusiastic group who call themselves the Gambia Crew.
They raised funding and purchased land for building the new school.
Yallal Tankonjala LBS
Farafenni, North Bank
YMCA Skills Training Centre
Banjul
The YMCA Skills Training Centre in Banjul offers courses in catering,
hotel management, hair dressing, cosmetology, dress making etc.
Yunus SSS
There are no schools starting with Z
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