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THE MINISTRY OF BASIC AND SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRESS REPORT ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS VERIFICATION IN REGION ONE, May 2012
Implementation Procedures
Conditions for School Closure
List of Private Schools Assessed so Far
Summary Nursery
Summary: LBS
All Pages

THE MINISTRY OF BASIC AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

PROGRESS REPORT ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS VERIFICATION IN REGION ONE, May 2012

 

INTRODUCTION

 

As a result of findings that emanated from school visits during the 27th June to 1st July, 2011 CCM in Region One, the Permanent Secretary established a Task Force in July 2011, to look into the matter relating to the operation of private schools.

This report includes information about the mandate of the Task Force, the methodology used, findings, conclusion and recommendations. Also included is the list of private schools assessed. The report is limited to the facts emanating from the verification exercise to establish the legality of operating private schools.

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

The Task Force was mandated to visit all private schools and, among other things, to verify their registration statuses (i.e. registered and non-registered) in accordance with the national rules and regulations (e.g. MoBSE guidelines for opening of private schools).

 

METHODOLOGY

 

The Task Force visited schools to establish:

  • conformity to minimum standards in terms of

ü  Condition of Operation: land space, availability of classrooms and recommended class/classroom sizes e.g. 7m x 7m,

ü  Mode of Operation: curriculum delivery, assessment of learning, student welfare, and fees charged (value for money),

ü  Sustainability: continued supply of students, reliable source of resources (teachers & finance), and ownership of facilities etc.

  • Recommendation for closure, provisional/permanent approval for schools as appropriate.

 

Implementation Procedures

 

·         Desk top compilation of school list from Planning and Region 1

·         Aerial survey to map out private schools

·         School list updated to capture newly discovered schools

·         Assessment form developed

·         Assessment form trial tested

·         A template for individual school report developed

·         Proprietors/proprietress sensitised and issued assessment forms to fill

·         School visits conducted to collect and verify information provided in assessment forms

·         Individual school reports prepared based on the assessment form and findings from school visits

FINDINGS

 

The Task Force made the following discoveries:

·         Some proprietors illegally open unregistered schools in different locations using the same license,

·         In some instances, schools move from one location to another without informing the relevant authorities,

·         Proprietors extend their operation to include other levels (e.g. from ECD to LBS) within the same premises without permission and as a result sometimes created congestion,

·         A good number of the private schools especially ECDs were housed in undesirable or appalling structures e.g. self-contained houses/structures, close to noisy workshops, waterlogged premises, shops, car garages, churches, verandas, corridors, sheds, and unfinished buildings,

·         In some cases the safety of the facilities and, or the location of some schools is greatly doubted (e.g. some schools are constructed with mud blocks and leaking roofs, in private and hidden locations which can expose children to the risk of sexual harassment, disaster or emergency outbreaks e.g. fire, and dangerous reptiles).

 

Reasons for The Rapid Spread of Private Schools

 

1.      Violation of the registration process e.g forgery of registration, multiple usage of single registration, operation without registration

 

2.      Laxity in the monitoring process

 

3.      Delay in the registration process

 

4.      Lucrative business

 

5.      High demand for schools especially ECD Centres

 

Private schools classified as a result of studies carried out on individual schools in Region 1:

 

Approval

Provisional

Closure

Total

Nursery

74

42

38

154

LBS

15

4

14

33

UBS

5

4

1

10

SSS

3

1

3

7

Total

97

51

56

204

 

List of Schools are attached at Appendix

 


Conditions for School Closure

 

The Task Force established the degree of prevalence of the following conditions to determine the status of the private schools:

 

—  Land ownership status

—  Insufficient classrooms and space

—  Limited number of qualified teachers

—  Classroom spacing and arrangement

—  Poor infrastructure

—  Lack of play ground (Owned or arranged)

—  Poor Sanitation

—  Poor school Management

—  Salary Issue

—  Unsafe structures

 

CONCLUSION

 

Schools mushroomed in Region One mainly because of the following reasons:

1.      There is a high demand for education and proprietors capitalized on this demand

 

2.      Proprietors established schools in response to the huge differences in economic abilities among families in the area

 

·         The rich can afford to pay for expensive fees in some private schools and

 

·         The poor can only afford to pay for inexpensive fee charges in low quality schools. For these reasons some proprietors who cannot afford to start a standard school prefer to open low quality schools for the less privileged

·         A review of Planning School Assessment Reports showed that schools charged a wide range of fees depending on quality of facilities and quality of service delivery

3.      Some proprietors capitalize on the low starting capital cost of illegal operations of schools to later on rise to more advanced legal operations

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

1.      To enforce the change of school names carrying “International.”

2.      To reinforce the teaching and adherence to the national curriculum and examinations in schools with International status.

3.      The Ministry to decentralize the school opening application process and establish joint school verification.

4.      Establishment of  time line for school registration process to avoid delay

5.      To strength monitoring to avoid illegal school operation.

6.      To have a uniform registration certificate as currently, both certificate and approval letters being used.

7.      To open individual files for all registered schools at both the Ministry and REDs to avoid loss of documents.

8.      To sanction schools that opera without being granted approval.

9.      An annual survey of all private schools in the country to be conducted to update records.

10.  Extend the process used in this exercise and the modality agreed upon to cover other regions.

 


NEXT EXERCISE

 

1. The next step in Region 1 is to notify Proprietors/Proprietresses on the status of their schools.

2. Mount sensitization programme through available media (TV, Radio, and Newspapers)

3. To extend similar exercise in Region 2

 

 


List of Private Schools Assessed So Far

Early Childhood Education:

                                     

NJM

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR IMMEDIATE APPROVAL

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR CONDITIONAL/PROVISIONAL APPROVAL

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR CLOSURE

1

Jahouvey Nursery School

Grace International School Daycare & Nursery

Ham Ham Nursery

2

Lebanese International School ECD

Marie Rita’s Nursery

Mansa Maru Nursery

3

Zoe International Day care and Nursery school

Christian Community of Latrikunda (CCLK) ECD

Quality Foundation Nursery

4

Zenith ECD (upgraded)

Little Accorns Daycare and Nursery School

Sympathy Orphanage

5

Alex Nursery, Bakoteh

Kambelaba Nursery

New Life International, Bakoteh, Tipper Garage

6

ABC 1, Bakoteh Housing Estate Street C No. 15

Fojanga ECD

2.        Sir Dembo, Kotu

7

Kololi

Bethel Tiny Tots ECD

Brother & Sister, Kotu Quarry

8

Marie Angelique, Bakoteh Housing Estate Street C No. 15

St. Paul’s Nursery (downgraded)

Kanuma, Latrikunda German

9

Sunrise, Bakoteh Layout

Kachikally Nursery (downgraded)

Musa Sanneh Memorial ECD (7)Ebo Town

10

The Swallow, Manjai Kunda, P.O.BOX 3414 Serekunda

P.L.Coker Nursery (downgraded)

Victorious Nursery (7)Tallinding

11

Universal Scholars Academy, Kotu South

Khadeejah Nursery (downgraded)

Adonia ECD (8) Talinding

12

Victory Gospel

May’s Nursery School (downgraded)

Dampha Shipman ECD TALLINDING

13

Apple Tree, Kotu, PMB 716, Serekunda

Amazing Grace ECD (downgraded)

Robert’s Int.Edu. Centre  LBS (7) Talinding

14

Kingdom Heritage, Manjai Kunda,  World Mission Agency, Inc Aka Winners' Chapel

Gambia Friendship Nursery School (downgraded)

Wansbrough Nursery (8)Serrekunda

15

Yakanu ECD (8)Bundung

Lend a hand Nursery, -Kotu Quarry - Serrekunda West -KSMD -7015609

Mandela Nursery (7)Tallinding

16

Bucket Nursery (8) Talinding

Jofi, Manjai Kunda

Devine Academy Int.NuserySere Kunda

17

Marsden ECD (7)Talinding

Irma Kunda, Bakoteh Bantaba

Foursquare Nursery (7)Taillinding

18

Sanyang Take Care ECD (7)Talinding

Widar, Kotu Quary, Bamba Auto Road

J TT Nursery 2 (7)Tallinding

19

Child Concern ECD (8)Serekunda

Ellis Demaro, Bakoteh

Sir Dembo ECD (Churchill’s Town)

20

Bojang Nursery (7)Talinding Medina

D-Harris, Kotu, P.O.Box 3490

Luc’s Nursery (7)DippaKunda

21

Devine International (8)Serekunda

7.        Children of The Gambia, Manjai, Westcoast Road

Greatland Nursery (7)Talinding

22

Divine Int Academy Talinding

Child Concern, Kotu Silo, Latrikunda German, 25 Lawrence Street, P.O.Box 3103 Serekunda

Redeemers Int. Nursery Dippakunda

23

Robert’s Int. ECD Talinding

Amazing Grace Annex, Manjai, Kotu Sillo

Muhammed Yadali Nursery

24

Bokaloho  Nursery (8) Bundung

CEDAG, Kotu South

Life Impact Nursery

25

Musu’s (8) Bundung

Champion, Majai Kunda

St’ Davis Nursery

26

Cajab Nursery (8) Bakoteh

Rehobot, Bakoteh, Opposite Morro Baldeh's Compound

Buba Jarju and Awa Bojang Nursery

27

Wisdom Nursery (7) Serekunda

Universal Scholars Academy, Kotu South

Isatou Kombeh Jay’s Nursery

28

Model Int. ECD (?) Serekunda

Karin Nursery (8)Bubdung

Kunabantang Nursery

29

Shalom Nursery (7) Serekunda

JTT (1) Nursery  Tallinding(7) ??

Premier Day Care and Nursery

30

Rima Abam ECD (8) Serekunda

Awijnad Nursery (7)TalindingSecap

Ndigtal Nursery

31

Brimawa ECD (8) Serekunda

Allen Nursery (8)Serekunda Central

Alhagie Mamour Secka Nursery

32

KuntaKinteh Nursery (7) Talinding Medina

Cherno Baba Jallow Nursery

Vine Nursery

33

Hilary Nursery (7) TalindingCetral

Kaa Koli Kemo Nursery 

Amazing Grace Annex Nursery- Faji Kunda

34

James Ogoo Nursery (7) Bundung

Lucy Memorial Nursery

Bullela Nursery

35

George Senghore Nursery (7) Talinding

Malnult Kindergarten

South Africa Nursery

36

Seedy Memorial (7) Talinding

Pentecost Pre- School

 Faith Nursery, Tallinding

37

Hydra’s Nursery (7) Talinding

Abuko Nursery

 Carol Nursery, Tallinding

38

DippaKunda Haste ECD (Haddy’s) (8)D/k

Livingword of faith Nursery

 Mumy’s Nursery, L. Corner

39

AyrLuton Nursery (7) Talinding

Sunu Nursery

 Sir Dembo Nursery, Bundung

40

Shine Africa Nursery (8) Bundung

Mahmoud Achten Day Care and Nursery

 Early Impression, Churchills Town

41

Mobeta ECD (8) Dippakunda

Lutheran Nursery

 Hope for Our New Generation, Tallinding

42

Arch Deacon George ECD (?)Serekunda

God's time International ECD

 Humanist Nursery, Tallinding

43

Over comers ECD (8) Dippakunda

Jasuba Kid's Academy

 

44

Lulu’s Memorial ECD (8) Serekuna

 

 

45

New Covenant ECD (8)Serekunda

 

 

46

Naffa Nursery (7)Talinding

 

 

47

BakarySambou Nursery (7)Talinding

 

 

48

Sobeya ECD (7) Churchill’s Town

 

 

49

JTT (Kairaba) Nursery Talinding

 

 

50

River Side ECD (9)Bundung

 

 

51

Salvation ECD (?) Fagikunda

 

 

52

Selma Int.ECD (9) Bundung

 

 

53

YunusMemo.ECD (9)Bundung

 

 

54

Zibah ECD Bundung

 

 

55

Abuko Central ECD

 

 

56

Jam Jam ECD (?) Abuko

 

 

57

Light House ECD (?)Fajikunda

 

 

58

Gola Fortunate ECD Abuko)

 

 

59

ABC Nursery

 

 

60

Carter Nursery

 

 

61

Cluny Nursery

 

 

62

Living Children Academy Nursery

 

 

63

Methodist Preparatory Nursery

 

 

64

J.C. Faye Memorial Nursery

 

 

65

Royal Pre- School

 

 

66

Unity Day Care and Nursery

 

 

67

Marent Nursery

 

 

68

St’  Charles Lwanga Nursery

 

 

69

Roots Nursery

 

 

70

Family Care and Kindergarten Nursery

 

 

71

Rex Nursery

 

 

72

GAMOL Nursery

 

 

73

Lutherant Nursery

 

 

74

Rainbow Nursey

 

 

75

SDA ECD, New Jeswang

   

 


Summary: Nursery

 

75 ECD Centers are recommended for immediate approval,

43 recommended for provisional approval and

42 recommended for immediate closure

 

Lower Basic School:

 

NUM

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR IMMEDIATE APPROVAL

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR CONDITIONAL/PROVISIONAL APPROVAL

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR CLOSURE

1

Zenith LBS (upgraded)

Star Preparatory LBS

Zoe LBS

2

 Apple Tree, Kotu,PMB 716, Serekunda

D-Harris, Kotu, P.O.Box 3490

Fojanga LBS

3

Kingdom Heritage, Manjai Kunda,  World Mission Agency, Inc Aka Winners' Chapel

Gola Fortunate LBS (Abuko)

Rainbow Early Childhood Development Center LBS

4

Universal Scholars Academy, Kotu South

 Alhagie Mamour Secka LBS

Christian Community of Latrikunda (CCLK) LBS

5

Seedlings, Manjai Kunda

 

Bethel Tiny Tots LBS

6

Sunrise, Bakoteh Layout

 

God’s Time International LBS

7

The Swallow, Manjai Kunda, P.O.BOX 3414 Serekunda

 

Child Concern, Kotu Silo, Latrikunda German, 25 Lawrence Street, P.O.Box 3103 Serekunda

8

Yakanu LBS (8) Bundung

 

New Life International, Bakoteh, Tipper Garage

9

ABC LBS

 

Model Int. LBS (8)Sere Kunda

10

Carter LBS

 

Rima Abam LBS (8)Sere Kunda

11

Living Children Academy LBS

 

Brimawa LBS (8) Serekunda

12

Methodist Preparatory LBS

 

Zibah LBS (?) Bundung

13

J.C. Faye Memorial LBS

 

Light House LBS (?) FagiKunda

14

Worsdley LBS

 

Delta International LBS

15

SDA LBS, New Jeswang

 

 

 


Summary: LBS

 

15 LB Schools are recommended for immediate approval,

4 recommended for provisional approval and

14 recommended for immediate closure

 

Upper Basic Schools:

NUM

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR IMMEDIATE APPROVAL

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR CONDITIONAL/PROVISIONAL APPROVAL

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR CLOSURE

1

Apple Tree, Kotu,PMB 716, Serekund

New Life UBS

 Cates International, Kotu West

2

New Covenant, 3 Kotu Silo Road, Manjai

Amazing Grace School UBS

 

3

 Don Mcmath, Kotu South, P.O.Box 2530

Wordsley UBS

 

4

J.C. Faye Memorial UB

 

 

5

Rose Kali UBS

 

 

6

New Life UBS

 

 

7

Ebenezer (SDA), NewJeswang

   

 

 

Summary: UBS

 

7 UB Schools are recommended for immediate approval,

3 recommended for provisional approval and

1 recommended for immediate closure

 

Senior Secondary Schools:

 

NUM

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR IMMEDIATE APPROVAL

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR CONDITIONAL/PROVISIONAL APPROVAL

SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED FOR CLOSURE

1

20.     Apple Tree, Kotu,PMB 716, Serekunda

West African Junior Secondary School

 Cardinal SSS

2

Charles Fowlis SSS

Archdeacon Mathias SSS

Cates International, Kotu West

3

J.C. Faye Memorial SSS

 

Unity Comprehensive SSS

4

Ebenezer (SDA), New Jeshwang

   

 

Summary: SSS

 

4 SS Schools are recommended for immediate approval,

2 recommended for provisional approval and

3 recommended for immediate closure

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