Bintang Bolong Nursery School - Annual Report 2008

After the official opening of the school in 2007, the numbers of pupils have grown to over 160, which is in excess of what is allowed by the local education authority, when considering the teacher to pupil ratio. We were unable in 2006/2007 to purchase the land next to the school, where we hoped to extend the building, due to not having sufficient funds, so we are now in the process of setting up a new school about two miles away, where some of the staff have transferred. The school committee have decided to name it ‘Swallows Community Nursery School’. It is a testament to both the teaching staff and the school committee who have put so much enthusiasm into this project, that the number of pupils registering for Swallows is already approaching 100.

As Bintang Bolong School is now self-sufficient, we are concentrating our energy into raising the profile of Swallows, and therefore further funding will be used to support teacher salaries, training and development at this school. The sponsorship scheme, which is a real lifeline to some of the neediest families, and enables children who might otherwise not be able to attend school, will continue through Swallows. Although the school is renting premises, we do not have at this moment any plans to build another school – land is expensive, and once started, is such a commitment – and one that we are unable to contemplate at the moment! However, the premises are excellent, with a good landlord and hopefully, he will continue to let us rent at favourable rates. But, of course, this is an extra expense.

We plan to register Swallows Community Nursery School as a separate UK charity and it will have its own website. We will be visiting The Gambia in November 2009 and will give an update on the progress on the new school, with photographs as soon as we return. Meanwhile, please do get in contact with us if you have any questions.