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Gambia News: Taiwan Donates $400,000 Towards Girls Education

By Nfamara Jawneh

The Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, Dr. Patrick Chang, on Thursday presented 9 cheque amounting to $400,000 to what has become known as the President’s Empowerment of Girls Education Project (PEGEP).

Speaking at a ceremony held at the office of the Secretary to the Cabinet at State House, Ambassador Chang said that the payment was the second of its kind this year, bringing the total donation this year to $700,000. “We understand that President Jammeh has attached a great importance to education, especially girls education,” Ambassador Chang noted. He revealed that his country is currently undertaking scholarship to 25 students studying petroleum in Taiwan and that 25 more students would also leave for Taiwan under the same programme while a further 13 students would also leave to study MA and PhD this Saturday. He disclosed that four other students would be leaving on diplomatic scholarship.

According to Dr. Chang, they have so far paid $4m towards the PEGEP project, adding that this would enable girls to participate in both household and national development.

In receiving the cheque Tenenba Jaiteh, Secretary to the Cabinet, thanked the government and people of Taiwan for what she called their continued support to the development of The Gambia. She said that the PEGEP project was initiated by President Jammeh to provide access to good and quality education to girls from Primary to Secondary levels. She observed that education is a top priority of the government.

She at length handed over the cheque to Mustapha Saine Deputy Project Manager PEGEP.

In his remarks Mr. Mustapha Saine, the Deputy Project Manager PEGEP, said the project has made a significant increment in the number of girls going to school.

Ebrima Camara, Permanent Secretary office of the president, chaired the ceremony.