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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Feb 2013 : 16:45:01
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Folks,
A press release from the Ministry of education stated that St. Augustine SSS has been closed.
I am sure there are many questions as to why a school as prominent as St. Augustine is will be closed by the authorities.
Here is the release....please read!
Best,
Yero
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/st-augustines-sss-closed
St. Augustine’s SSS closed
Africa » Gambia
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
A press release from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has revealed that St. Augustine’s Senior Secondary School has been closed following an upheaval at the said school.
Below is the full text of the release;
“Following the upheaval at St. Augustine’s Senior Secondary School, the general public is hereby informed that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is closing the said school until further notice. In this regard and until such a time that the school is being re-opened:
1. Students attending St. Augustine’s Senior Secondary School are being asked to stay away from the school premises and to wait for further directives from the Ministry.
2. Parents of student attending St. Augustine’s are also urged to ensure that this directive is adhered to strictly by their children.
The general public is being assured that the authorities of the Ministry and the school will be working together with a view to reopening the school soonest.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education counts on the usual cooperation and understanding of the general public.”
Your co-operation is highly appreciated.
Yours Sincerely
Baboucarr Bouy
Permanent Secretary
Author: Daily Observer
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2013 : 18:45:02
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| The unanswered question is Dalton1 what is the "upheaval ", I suspect something VERY serious for such an action and non informative statement to have been made. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2013 : 20:34:04
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ST. AUGUSTINE’S STUDENTS PROTEST
Foroyaa Burning Issues: Published on Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Written by Alagi F. S. Sora
"The students at the St. Augustine's High School in Banjul yesterday 26th February staged a demonstration against the School's Vice Principal which lasted for almost an hour. The Students during the riot were engaging in stone throwing all round the school which led to the destruction of the Vehicle of the vice principal as well as some classroom windows including the chemistry lab. They said that they are not holding a strike against anybody but the VP due to the way he handles their affairs.
The students who spoke to this reporter said the purpose of their strike was that the Vice Principal of the school Mr. Father Manneh was treating them very badly. Some of the things they mentioned are denial to sit to the mock Exams which are currently going on at the School. They said the VP said if any student is not regular in school, he/she would not sit to the Exams in the name of the School. The demonstrators also claimed that the VP since his arrival has made learning difficult for them. They alleged that the VP has the habit of seizing their shoes, mobile phones and would sometimes deny them permission to say their prayers at the King Fahad mosque which is nearby the school which is their praying ground well before he came as the VP. They alleged that Father Manneh is not polite when dealing with students.
However shortly after the riot efforts made to talk to the principal and the VP of the school did not materialise as they had moved towards the NIA headquarters. During the riot while the principal of the school Mr. Martin Gomez was seen persuading students, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Inspector General of Police, PIU officer, and the Principals of the nearby School converged to calm the students.
The students chanted the slogan: "We don't need Father Manneh in our School!" The PS, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Babucarr Boye and the Inspector General of Police both came to the scene of the demonstration and told them that the matter would be properly dealt with. Shortly after the departure of the large crowd of the demonstrating students, the Principal Mr. Martin Gomez and the Vice Principal Father Manneh were both said to be invited to the National Intelligence Agency." |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2013 : 21:28:18
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Thanks Toubab & Kobo.
That is exactly what a close confidant relayed to me as well. Further, Father Manneh is very close to Pa Harry Jammeh...what ever that relationship means in current day Gambia.
Thanks for sharing..
Yero
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2013 : 15:09:23
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PRO-GOVERNMENT DAILY OBSERVER NEWS EDITORIAL;
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2013 : 20:17:22
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It seems as a thorough investigation into the reason for the riots at St Augustines SSS is either underaway or needs to be to ensure that all the customers at the school are being safeguarded. The allegations made by the pupils against their Vice Principle are serious and need to be looked into more seriously as there is no room for religious intolerance in schools. So too does the violence and vandalism caused by the Pupils at the school needs to be looked into and those responsible for smashing up the school need to assist in fixing it back up as part of community service.
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Peace
Sister Omega |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 00:29:33
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Welcome back sister omega. I beg to differ though. I think Father Manneh is concern about the declining standards in schools these day especially on attendance and lateness which also leads to poor academic performance. There are no school buses anymore and most students do struggle to get to school. Many arrive very late while others can't just make it.
In my days St Augustine and Gambia High School were prestigious school that pride on academic excellence. The good Father Manneh must have been utterly furastrated by the look of things going down the drain and thought he could do something to claw it back. Unfortunately he can't buy Mercedes Benz for every student and yet no school bus. We used to pay only 25 butut for a good bus ride to school.
Discipline has always been part of St Augustine's success story. It used to Mr Sabally the disciplinarian at St. And Oustass Senghore at Gambia High. No student ever dire mess up with these two gentle men. That's how strict they were.
I see no religious issue here as no school is obliged to allow students to go pray outside campus. In my days, we pray incampus and unless you have good excuse, the gatemen will never allow you to go outside for any reason other than go home time.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 01 Mar 2013 00:35:28 |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 02:13:36
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Hi Nyarikangbanna,
Thank you for your warm welcome.
I am aware of St Augustines former reputation, and from what you've said from your first hand experience of being a pupil at that school.
The decline of standards as you stated is of grieve concern. However times have moved on and St Augustines needs to find away to improve its standards and to ensure discipline in the school. Pupils at St Augustine have a voice and have expressed in an inappriopriate manner as anti-social behaviour is totally unacceptable.
The question is how is the school going to move forward despite the barriers in its way? As you have mentioned the decline in attendance and habitual lateness. I would also added coupled with the fact that this generation of Gambian children are more aware of the outside world than any other generation from the globalisation of social media etc. That has impacted on them questioning and rebelling against authority as adolsence have tendency to do in away that your generation would not of dreamed of.
It seems that Father Manneh approach to discipline has backfired on him confisciating shoes, mobile phones and the last straw was to prevent the Pupils from sitting their Mock Exams and attending their local.Plus the disrespect factor seemed to be the main bowl of contention amongst the Pupils.
I undestand there should be no reason why Pupils should be permitted outside of school grounds if that are the rules of the school. However the Pupils were given the right to do so before he arrived at the school. However if this rule has been reintroduced then the students need to have an area to pray inside the school as you used to do. Confiscating Pupils shoes is humiliating especially if they have only one pair of shoes. Surely the school has a dresscode and therefore Parents and Carers are obliged to ensure their children attend school in the correct uniform.
Displinary measures such as detentions, clearing litter, doing lines, suspensions, coming into school on Saturday morning, exclusion etc are other apppriopriate ways of disciplining children.
Clear boundaries and guidelines for Pupils and their Parents and Carers need to be set down. Also getting Parents more involved in school operations so that they are aware of the running of the school and schools serving not only the students but has a community hub can also assist in improving the schools performance. Also rewarding students for good deeds and galvanising them into fundraising activities to raise money for a school bus or day trips out of school by involving their families into fundraising events.It's amazing what schools can do when they have more community involvement. These methods are used in other parts of the world. I am aware every nation is different but I don't think it's harmful for the school to research into different ways it can improve its performance, and to boost the overall morale for both the Staff,Pupils in the school, and the local community.
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Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 01 Mar 2013 02:18:13 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2013 : 12:28:39
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ST. AUGUSTINE’S SENIOR SCHOOL CLOSED DOWN MOBSE PERMANENT SECRETARY EXPLAINS
Foroyaa Burning Issues: Published on Thursday, 28 February 2013
Written by Alagi F. S. Sora
"Following the protest of the students of Saint Augustine's Senior Secondary School (SASSS) at the school grounds on Tuesday, 26 February, the Ministry of Secondary and Basic Education (MOBSE) on the same day announced the closure of the school till further notice through a press release read on the 10 pm television news on GRTS. The release further advised the students not to go to the school until it is reopened.
Talking to the Basic and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary yesterday at his office in Banjul, Mr. Babaoucar Bouy informed this paper that his Ministry and the school authorities will be having a meeting today (Thursday) to discuss the issue regarding the riot by the students of St. Augustine's S.S.S. The MoBSE PS said as at now the reason behind the students' protest is not yet fully established and would only be known after their scheduled meeting with the school authorities.
Mr. Bouy however said that his Ministry has closed down the school till further notice and it will reopen after the matter is thoroughly looked into and addressed.
On whether there were any arrests of the protesting students or the school authorities both the Principal, Mr. Martin Gomez and the Vice Principal, Father Manneh were reported to have been invited by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). PS Bouy said no one was arrested as he was there together with the St. Augustine's School principal as well as the principals of the surrounding schools until everybody was dispersed.
This reporter also visited the school yesterday to talk to the authorities but did not find the principal or his assistant at their offices.
Readers could recall that the students at the said school had demonstrated on Tuesday, 26 February, leveling some allegations against the school Vice Principal Father Manneh which lead to the vandalisation of his official vehicle and the breaking of windows of some classrooms, including the Chemistry Lab which recorded other damages. The Police Intervention Unit (PIU) was later called upon to disperse the demonstrating students.
Foroyaa will inform the readers of any subsequent development on the matter." |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2013 : 13:04:35
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This is a disproportionate reaction from the government. They need to open the school and let the students continue their studies. Those in grade 12 are missing out big time and this may impact on their performance in the final WASC exams later this year. It wasn't like they've threatened national security.
The students need to finish the syllabus inorder to stand a better chance of passing their final exams. The govt should not continue to play with their future in the name of security when infact, there are no national security dimension to this. The students categorically made it clear the demo was against the Vice Principle, so why not send the Vice Principal on leave while the matter is investigated and studies continuing?
Sister Omega, I was not a pupil of St Augustine but the neighbouring school.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 04 Mar 2013 13:10:40 |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2013 : 00:52:30
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Correction Nyari did you attend Gambia High School? Nyari the youth of today are different from the youth of yesterday who wouldn't dream of smashing a teachers car. Well they may of dreamt of it. But did would not followed it through. Nowadays it is standard procedure to investigate incidents in 21 st Century of this nature. How else will the Authorities learn from it. The Gambian Education Authorities have developed frameworks to faciliate Best Practice.
One of the consequences of the riot will be to delay the school reopening. Youth need to learn about the consequences of their actions. The school being subjected to such disruption will place extra strain on the school resources. It seems we will just have to wait and see whether or not neighbouring schools can ease some of the burden in the interim. If this isn't possiblle the students will have to wait to sit their exams in the school or alternative accommodation.
Health & Safety of the Students and Staff are important and on those grounds alone the school would be closed. It seems to be reasonable that the school reconvenes after the school meeting takes place to resolve the challenges that lay behind the incident. Otherwise what will stop another riot in that school or any other school for that matter from happening again with more dangerous ramfication? The situation requires a thorough investigation the Authorities are following the correct protocol. To ensure the relevant safeguards are in place to prevent a reoccurence of the incident.
Unfortunately as you noted this incident could jeopardise their exams hopefully it doesn't come to that. Let's see what happens. |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 05 Mar 2013 01:12:43 |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2013 : 12:25:27
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Sister Omega, I am not saying the matter shouldn't be investigated. I am simply against the prolonging of the school closure by the authorities which I find rather disproportionate and utterly unnecessary. They could have just send the vice principal on leave while the matter is investigated since he was the focal point of the demo or suspend the student ring leaders pending investigation, which ever is appropriate. But shutdown the school for this long and thereby causing disproportionate disruption to learning is, in my view, dumb and arbitrary.
As you may know, proportionality is a very important feature in any decision-making process in the modern world of democracies. I think this is more about paranoia than health and safety or security at schools in The Gambia.
And yes, I was at Gambia High but my cousin from the same household was at St Augustine's and I was having friends there too. Anyway, let's hope the school opens soon.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 05 Mar 2013 12:55:03 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2013 : 06:22:14
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WILL ST. AUGUSTINE’S SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL RE-OPEN? PARENTS AND STUDENTS AWAIT RE-OPENING
Foroyaa Burning Issues: Published on Tuesday, 05 March 2013
Written by Ousman Njie
"St. Augustine’s senior secondary school which was closed by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in connection to the students’ riot on Monday 25th of February, 2013, was until yesterday still not re-opened. It could be recalled that the said school was closed on Monday 25th, and the permanent secretary,
Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Baboucarr Bouy during his interview with this paper said that the Ministry will have a meeting with the School authorities on Thursday 28th February to discuss the matter affecting the school after which the school would be opened.
However, upon a visit to the concerned Ministry yesterday Monday 4th March, the MoBSE Permanent Secretary informed this reporter that the Ministry is still in consultation with the various stakeholders on the matter but is yet to come to a conclusion and would inform the public any time it is ready.
Readers would recall that the Students at the said School demonstrated against the School’s Vice principal, which led to the destruction of his vehicle and other facilities including the Chemistry Lab during the riot at the School.
As we go to press the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education announced that all stakeholders have agreed that the school will be open on Tuesday, 5 March 2013. The grade 12 students are supposed to be the first to return to take their mock exam on Tuesday.
Editor’s Note
As mentioned earlier, we have been reliably informed that if all the students were allowed to take their mock exam such a riot would never have occurred. It is not the best for the students who are preparing for exams to be left in suspense. Time is of essence." |
Edited by - kobo on 06 Mar 2013 06:39:03 |
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terangba
Egypt
225 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2013 : 15:19:31
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| Dissent is the highest form of patriotism" Thomas Jefferson |
God gave men dominion over the beasts and not over his fellow men unless they submit of their own free will. - Napoleon |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 09 Mar 2013 : 19:31:33
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Hi Terangba are you seriously condoning the rioting at St Augustine's sss Students? With a quote from Thomas Jefferson who in his day would have had the student of St Augustine school working on his plantations. If any of those slaves caused dissent see how quickly they would be tortured to death. Then you quoted the words of Napolean who duped Toussaint L'Ovuture the Liberator of Haiti the first African nation in the western hemsiphere to spend the rest of his life in a dungeon filled with water until he died; as quotes of wisdom. Jog on!
Really. Children go to school to get an education rioting in school is unacceptable politicising that facas is promoting anti-social behavour. Then I suppose words are cheap and so long as the children involved are someone elses then some Adults feel its alright to condone those childrens behaviour. However in life what goes around often comes around so one day it maybe the writer's own child caught rioting. I wonder what the writer would say then. Would they automatically spout " Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism " Thomas Jefferson and God gave men dominion over the beasts and not over his fellow men unless they submit by their own
free will" Napoleon? I think it's important to send out appriopriate messages to the youth. Most of the time rioting is negative behaviour that results in lengthy prison sentences. Is that what we want for our Youths? |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 09 Mar 2013 19:51:12 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2013 : 00:38:28
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If the pupils have a legitimate problem they wish to complain about, but have no formal way of complaining, they may have felt the petty violence was the only action they could take.
What procedures are in place for pupils to complain about teachers?
The school should be reopened as soon as possible and the accused teacher should be on 'gardening leave' until the matter is properly investigated. |
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