The North Bank branch of Education For All Network (EFANET) recently held series of sensitisation meetings with stakeholders in Chamen village in Lower Nuimi; Kinteh Kunda Janneh-Ya in Lower Baddibu and Farafenni in the Upper Baddibu District on the Millennium Development Goals.

The objective of the meetings was to enlighten the public on some of the development efforts registered by government towards improving the well-being of the populace. The meetings were attended by alkalolu, religious and women leaders, Village Development Committees (VDCs), youths, politicians and district chiefs.

Speaking to the Daily Observer, Karamo Kinteh, the regional chairman of EFANET, commended the government for the giant strides it has taken in the achievement of the MDGs which include the eradication of poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empower of women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

Kinteh also hailed the efforts of government in the creation of a National Planning Commission with the mandate to prioritize national planning and coordination in accordance with the MDGs; the PRSP II and the Vision 2020 development blue print. He said over the years, government continues to commit itself to ensuring environmental sustainability through integrating the principles of sustainable development into the country's policies and programmes. He however expressed delight at the laudable initiative of the monthly cleaning exercise, introduced by President Jammeh, which, he noted has contributed immensely in the fight against malaria prevention and control.

"All these interventions contribute immensely in improving the health status of the people, particularly the most vulnerable segments of society; the children under five years and pregnant women," he remarked. "ership and increased participation of all in the PRSP process so that everyone can play an active role in the fight against poverty," he concluded. Jankeh Makalo of Kinteh Kunda Janneh-Ya, thanked the EFANET for the sensitisation, noting that the programme accorded them the opportunity to know the impacts and gains registered by the MDGs and the PRSP II.

She therefore urged parents to be very supportive to teachers by visiting schools on regular basis, to be able to monitor the performance of their children.Barham Wadda, the headmaster of Kinteh Kunda Lower Basic School, said the new education policy is user- friendly and contributes in promoting quality education at all levels.