Editor,

I am an ex-pupil of St. Joseph's Ex-Pupils commonly known as Mrs Ndow during the mid-eighties to the early nineties. I was watching the news the other week and saw a  story about my former headmistress "Mrs Ndow talking about her plans to build a youth community centre or something of that sort and I can remember telling myself that this isn't enough.

Anyway, my main reason for writing is to talk about the recent state of Ndow's school and students. As earlier stated, I went through the Ndow's education system when it deserved to be called the best school in The Gambia. I live in Kanifing and as such, nowadays I always see the students going to school looking untidy than we dared look after school. During our time, at primary three we could read perfectly well, compose letters and essays and other students often envy us; once we graduated to high school, even our teachers heaped praises on us. The basics we acquired during our primary school years gave us a solid foundation and thus an appreciation and understanding of what education is all about but now I feel sorry for the kids because education is not as it was.

I therefore  what to seize this opportunity to call on Mrs Ndow to hire professionals to run her institutions for the sake of The Gambia because all of us are stakeholders in this potentially great establishment which you have so gracefully gifted to the Gambian populace and secondly where are the plans for the Mrs Ndow colleges and universities? Because if any private body has the potential, it is you. Right now there should have been skills and vocational centers and much more all over the country attributed to your name but it's better than never so please consider it.

I'm not sure who started Oxford University and other great educational entities around the world but I am sure it was people like you. The only difference is that they knew when to put personal interests aside and ensured the longevity of their projects by putting them in the hands of people that could take it to the level it deserves.

All said and done, Mrs Ndow, we love you. You are our non-biological grandmother and you've done more to develop us; I am speaking for a whole generation when I say thank you because you gave us a solid foundation. I saw you recently and you are looking better than ever before so stay healthy and long live.

Matarr S. Cessay,
25 Fankunda Road
Kanifing South