Bakoteh Upper Basic School

Bakoteh Upper Basic School was established in 1999 in Serrakunda which is the largest town in The Gambia.

There are 2230 pupils who are taught on a shift system as the school does not have enough room to accommodate all pupils at the same time. Education at the Upper Basic Level is not free in The Gambia, however in an initiative to promote education for girls the Government now offers free education to them, this has been very successful as all Gambians recognise the importance of a good schooling! There are 1234 girls and 996 boys at the school, aged between 12 and 18.

Teachers who work both shifts get paid half pay for the afternoon shift, because they have been paid for the morning shift. The teaching staff totals 72 and the average class size is 50 pupils.

All teaching is in English, Gambian people speak a variety of languages based on their tribal roots.

This is Alfusainey Sanyang, he is in charge of block 9/7, so called because Year 9 pupils are taught there in the morning and year 7 in the afternoon.

Alfusainey is also responsible for agriculture at the school. However he does not have sufficient resources to grow more than a very small vegetable patch, not least because the cost of water is £44.00 per month. We are funding the enclosure of an area of 30 metres by 35 metres so a large vegetable plot can be created. We will also be providing for a selection of tools, watering cans and seeds so pupils will be able to learn how to prepare, sow and cultivate vegetables, essential skills for life.

This is the area at the moment. Later in the year we will be able to show you the fruits of the pupils' labour as tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, aubergines and hot chilli peppers thrive in the new area.

Pupils preparing the ground ready for planting

Planting the seeds

Pupils watering the plants.

Here is Alfusainey receiving a cheque to pay for the garden materials and money for the water supply. He is now able to start the fencing work and is busy with the students preparing the beds and planting different crops. He says,

"Students are very enthusiastic about parttaking in the garden project and later on certain classes will be allocated bigger responsibilities paying more attention to keeping up the agricultural spirit of the school."