Students and teachers of BolsoverHigh School in the UK last Saturday visited Kuntaya Senior Secondary in Jokadu District North Bank Region.

The visit is meant to strengthen the link between the two schools.

Speaking in an interview with this reporter shortly before their departure from the Banjul Ferry Terminal, the head of the delegation, Ian Tidswell, said they came with 32 school children and six teachers to visit their friends in Kuntaya school.

He revealed that the link was established in September, 2008 by Mr. Crordon Inglis, the principal of BolsoverSchool who have been coming to The Gambia for many years and knows many people.

He added that the link is very useful and they hope it would enable the children in UK to know more about The Gambia. “We brought along letters to give to 20 students and we hope this will link them with English boys and girls to send correspondence to learn about each others schools.

He promised that Kuntaya Senior Secondary will also one day pay a return visit to BolsoverHigh school.

He thanked the people of The Gambia for the wonderful welcome and hospitality they received from them.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Njundu Darboe, deputy headmaster at LaminDarankaLowerBasicSchool and also a board member of Kuntaya Senior Secondary, said the link will help other people who are in the UK to know how other people in different parts of the world live.

Meanwhile, in his welcoming address at Kuntaya Senior Secondary, The principal of the school, Mr. Ma Sanneh Fatty, thanked the principal of Bolsover and his high power delegation for the visit.

“I hope this visit will not only transform itself into a friendly interaction only but also to serve as a platform for greater cooperation and solidarity for now and forever,” he said.

“In my capacity as a principal of KuntayaSeniorSecondary School and on behalf of the board of governors, and parent teachers association welcome you all.”

Mr. Fatty outlined a brief history of the school by saying that the school was founded in September, 2000 and it started with a student population of 50 and now caters for more than 386 students the majority of whom are girls.

He said there exists very few facilities for students to use in the school but was however quick to mention football field, volleyball pitch, school hand pump, 2 hectares of orchards as properties of the school.

He commended the students of the school of their discipline and determination to learn. He also hailed the teachers for their cooperation and handwork.

Other speakers included Louise Korea, representative of the sponsor liaisons officer  in The Gambia, who said they have five different schools in the UK and five different schools in The Gambia.

During the visit to Kuntaya, BolsoverSchool donated items to the school such as footballs, and school stationery.