D1.7m Islamic School Inaugurated in URR

Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Hagie Baniko (H.B) Sissoko and Brothers Company on Thursday inaugurated its D1.7 million funded Islamic school at a colourful ceremony held at Sare Alpha in Tumana District, Upper River Region. The six-classroom blocks school, which currently has an enrolment of over 500 students, is expected to promote the learning of Islam among children in the area, thereby helping them know better the Islamic religion.

Speaking at the ceremony, Muhammed Awa Sissoko, the Imam of Sare Alpha thanked H.B Sissoko and Brothers Company for constructing the school, something he said has come at a time when the villagers were in dire need of it. He therefore urged parents to enrol their children in the school in order to know their religion, while assuring of the village’s support to the school. Alhaji Nfamara Camara of the Tallinding Arabic School also expressed delight at the inauguration. He appealed to parents to make the best use of the school and advised the teachers to take their work seriously.

Alpha Karaga, secretary general of H.B Sissoko and Brothers Company informed that the company invested D1.7M in the construction of the school. He said it is part of the company’s way of complementing President Jammeh’s efforts in the area of education. He said the company will continue to support the school, while urging parents to enrol their children in the school. He said Islamic education is as equally important as the conventional English. He concluded by commending the Gambian leader for his support to the course of  Islamic education, while recalling the Quranic recitation competition staged by the president.

Kebba Ebrima Ceesay, principal of the school also thanked H.B Sissoko and Brothers Company for their immense support to the school. In his inaugural statement, Cherno Darboe of The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, applauded the initiative taken by the H.B Sissoko and Brothers Company to establish such school in the provinces. He thanked them for their efforts, adding that God will reward the company for the good step it has taken to promote the learning of the Islamic religion.

He urged parents to enrol their children into the school and support the teachers to impart the Islamic knowledge on the minds of the students. According to him, parents have a great role to play in preparing their children for here and hereafter. He assured of the council’s support at all times and urged the students to take up their education seriously.
Author: Alieu Ceesay in Basse, URR;DAILY OBSERVER