Mr. Yerro Mballow, a reporter with The Point and the schools debating societies coordinator, has met with schools press clubs in Kanifing and Brikama. Speaking to this reporter Mr. Mballow said the aim of the meeting was to map out a strategy to fully reinstate the dormant literary debating societies in those schools. Mr. Mballow, a teacher and journalist of repute, stressed the need for the re-activation of the societies in the schools saying it would bring students and teachers together in a spirit of hard work.

This, he said, would lead to the students’ evolution into productive future citizens and servants of The Gambia who would show concern for each other.

“This will enhance our common goals of promoting quality education and supporting the development of schools”, he said. He urged all students to join the clubs when the have been re-established in the schools concerned and expressed the opinion that hard work is intensive effort in the cause of achieving action. He said he believes that students should not just confined within four walls but should go beyond and experience education in all of its guises. He says the impetus to work hard should be “the efforts we put in today will yield dividends tomorrow”. 

Mr. Mballow further said that debating in schools is an effective way to combat illiteracy and equip students with the requisite skills to build a successful life for themselves. This is achieved; he stressed, when debating is combined with the more traditional methods of classroom learning. Mr. Mballow stressed the desirability of getting the competition between schools and revealed that the start date for the project is the 7th of January. In conclusion Mr. Mballow urged all press clubs and school administrations to get all hands on deck in preparation.

In conclusion Mr. Mballow urged the DoSE and all interested parties to support the initiative for the benefit of the students involved. Any one wishing to get more information on the initiative can call 7623179 or 4497441.