A four-man team from the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) recently visited Armitage Senior Secondary School in Jangjangbureh, CRR. The purpose of the visit was to assess and survey the school in order to intervene and renovate the worn out structure.

Speaking to this reporter, Mr. Ousman Jobarteh, the Principal Traffic Officer of the GPA, said that they are investing in the schools, adding that their strategy is generally to promote science education in the country be it at the primary or secondary level. According to him the teaching capacity should also be developed because the caliber of the teachers counts a lot. “We will invest in schools to promote science and technology in the schools,” he stated.

Mr. Jobarteh revealed that the GPA collaborates with the Department of State for Education by conducting countrywide assessment in the schools. He then urged Gambians to venture into the teaching field because foreigners form the majority.

For his part, the principal of Armitage Senior Secondary School, Mr. Ebrima Joof said that the GPA has been very supportive of the school since last year, “They have rehabilitated the science block, replaced roofs, provided safety tanks for the girls hostel, built an oven and done many other things.”

According to him this time round the GPA promised to renovate the cracked fence, provide toilets, foot paths, replace the cooking pots, provide 600 mattresses, replace the 600 broken glasses, paint the Kunda, mend the ceiling fans, lights and tiles and that’s just to mention a few things. Mr. Joof thanked and commended the GPA for their kind gesture saying this is a huge step in the right direction.

Mr. Kawunding Tabedou, the Chairman of the Armitage Board of Directors commended president through GPA adding that it is not a waste to invest in schools especially Armitage which is the only boarding school of it’s kind. He then called on all ex-students of the school to support their alma-matar.