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EFANet launches Capacity Building Initiative of School Management Committees-SMCs EFANet launches capacity and training of School Management Committees-(SMCs) activity under the implementation of a project funded by the German BACKUP Initiative/Education in Africa-GIZ. The main aim of the initiative is to strengthen school management and governance in order to enhance learning outcomes by promoting community participation in school development. Thus, the initiative will increase accountability as well as increase grassroots involvement in national education processes and practices. The activity focuses on building the capacity of SMCs to effectively execute their oversight functions. The SMCs is the paramount executive branch elected from the general body of Parent Teachers’ Association-PTA tasked with the responsible of management of schools. The SMCs are recognize management and governance structures of MoBSE which are involved in the day to day work, along with its various sub-communities. Therefore, the purpose of the measure is to usher sustainable change in the education sector through capacity building and training of key stakeholders to enable them better participate in school management and teaching and learning activities. In addition, the training consultations are also aimed at promoting dialogue and sensitizing communities and parents by equipping them with the required skills and knowledge on school management thereby reducing tension and conflict in the management of schools. The training targets a minimum of 5000 SMC members covering at least 715 schools across the six educational regions in the Gambia. A special task team consisting of representatives of various stakeholders and education specialists has been constituted to conduct the training.

EFANet embarked on the capacity building and training of School-SMCs EFANet embarked on the capacity building and training of School Management Committees-SMCs to strengthen the community participation in school management in order to enhance learning outcomes. The initiative is funded by the German BACKUP Initiative for Education in Africa. The activity focuses on building the capacity of SMCs to effectively execute their oversight functions in school management. The SMCs is the paramount executive branch elected from the general body of Parent Teachers’ Association-PTA tasked with responsible for the management of schools. The SMC are recognized management and governance structures of MoBSE which are involved in the day to day work, along with its various sub-communities. A special task team consisting of representatives of various stakeholders and education specialists has been constituted to conduct the trainings. The task team has organized two orientation and preparation meetings on 29th November 2016 and 6th January 2017 in preparation for the exercise. The training that targets a minimum of 5000 SMC members covering at least 715 schools across the country have now began in the Regional Education Directorate 5 & 6 respectively on January 11th 2017. Different sub-teams comprising of trainers and facilators from the special task force were spread out in region 5 and 6 to conduct the training workshops. The training attracted members of the SMC and its sub- committees, school treasurers or auditors as well as SMC chairpersons. The participants also included school heads,head girls, head boys and mothers ‘club representative within the SMC. Regional Education Directorates provided support during the mobilization and training process.The SMCs were trained on school management and governance; roles responsibilities and functions of the SMCs; community participation in school management;School Performance and Monitoring (SPMM) and the School Improvement Planning (SIP). There was large turn- out of participants at training workshops who described the training intervention of the newly elected SMCs as very timely. The initiative was also described as a very significant process in improving community participation in school management.

EFANet Commemorates Global Action Week for Education The Education For All campaign Network-The Gambia (EFANET) joined the rest of the world to commemorate the Global Action Week of Education (GAWE) from the 23rd to the 29 of April 2017. The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Ensuring Accountability for SDG4 and Active Citizen Participation”. The theme highlighted the importance of transparent, accountable and participatory governance for delivering fully on the SDG4 agenda. Through SDG4-Education 2030, all countries including, The Gambia committed in 2015 to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. So in 2017, it is time for the government to prove that they are working towards this goal. The GAWE 2017 brings together all relevant stakeholders including policy makers, legislators, parents, teachers, students and the to demand action for education, with the slogan “Stand up for Education: Time to Deliver”. As part of this year’s GAWE, the coalition conducted various activities. A television talk show on the MoBSE Education Forum and radio programs were held as well as a media campaign on various newspapers and social media raise awareness among citizens. This year highlight event Bantaba“was hosted by EFANet’s Regional Chapter 2-Foni on Saturday 29th April 2017 at Saint Joseph Family Farm in Bwiam. EFANet was delighted to have so many participants and panelists from the Government and civil society. We were particularly honored by the presence of Ms Claudiana Cole, the honorable Minister of Basic and Secondary Education. The programme began with a procession accompanied by the Scout band and traditional communicators (Kanyelng) from the main highway to the Saint Joseph’s Family Farm were the invited guests converged to witness the rest of the activities. After a warm welcome by the Bwiam Alkalo, Zono Jammeh-EFANet Board Chair opened the discussion by reminding the audience the purpose of the gathering and efforts required for the set targets. She noted that the theme of the GAWE 2017 couldn’t have come at a better time. The Hon. Minister of Basic and Secondary Education reminded audience that the Government will fulfill its constitutional provision of providing education as a fundamental human right for All in the Gambia. In this regards, Ms. Cole assured the audience that MoBSE is committed to work in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure a credible road map in delivering accessible, quality and relevant education. She also stated the will of the Government to widen the space for civil society and to encourage active citizen participation in the education processes. In the same vein the CEO of Brikama area council, Bakary Saibou Sanneh mentioned that “Education for All must also be bear by All”. He stressed the right of the children and young people to be included in the implementation and the tracking of the SDG4 and that the Government must increase their participation. In his keynote statement, Mr Omar Ousman Jobe, the Executive Director of A. Plus Gambia, a foundation of Non State Actors which strive to promote and enhance good governance principles in the Gambian underscored the importance of ensuring accountability for SDG4 by public authorities, private sector and civil society through complementing each other work and active citizen participation. . For their part, Mr. Idi Bah, the manager of Easter Foni-Dinding Bantaba Federation and the Education Program Specialist Bakary Fadera, representing the executive director of Action aid, all emphasized the role of civil society in making progress in education in the Gambia based on figures and illustration. Finally, the day’s activities ended cheerfully with a drama, song and poem presentation by local students.