Over thirteen teachers and educators from Birmingham, UK have recently completed a week long study tour and validation of a training manual with their Gambian counterparts in the country.

This was organized by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in partnership with a charitable organization in Birmingham called Teacher In Development Education (TIDE) & Development Education Centre (DEC) of the United Kingdom.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Ndey Siren Bakurin, NEA's director of inter-sectoral network disclosed that the objective of the partnership between the NEA and TIDE is to develop learning materials for Gambian and UK pupils on environment and sustainable development for the curriculum of both countries.  She added that the partnership will also encourage dialogue on the role of educators for sustainability and development of education in the Gambia and UK.

"The partnership facilitates the exchange of ideas and perspectives on sustainable development in The Gambia and would encourage dialogue on the role of education in nurturing a sustainable future at local, national and global levels" she concluded.

Ben Ballin from TIDE said the partnership between the two institutions aims to promote sustainable education in both countries in the field of environment.  He nonetheless reiterated his organization's commitment in the dispensation of their mandates.

During the tour, the visitors and their local counterparts visited GRTS-Radio, the Child Protection Alliance, Youth Parliament, Abuko Nature Reserve, Bakoteh dumpsite, National Museum, Department of Forestry and Water Resources.