By Nelson Manneh
The village of Faraba-Sutu has marked a major milestone in its educational journey with the official opening of the Faraba-Sutu Lower Basic School, a project driven by the community and supported by Gammol NGO 115A. The school’s inauguration on October 12, 2025, brought together community leaders, education officials, and residents, all celebrating a collective dream realized: bringing quality education to local children and ending the era of long, arduous commutes to distant schools.
For generations, children in Faraba-Sutu faced daily treks of several miles to reach the nearest schools, a challenge that often led to absenteeism and high dropout rates. Now, with a school at the heart of their village, children can learn closer to home, and teachers have new employment opportunities within their own community.
The initiative was spearheaded by Alkalo Alieu Sanyang and the Faraba-Sutu leadership, who rallied residents and secured the vital partnership of Gammol NGO 115A to fund the construction. “Establishing lower basic schools in rural communities is critical for breaking the cycle of poverty, fostering economic and social development, and strengthening the entire community,” said Alkalo Sanyang at the inauguration. He emphasized that accessible education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and skill development, preventing long-term disadvantage for local children.
Smaller class sizes at the new school are expected to allow for greater individual attention from teachers, leading to improved academic outcomes. “Having a local school reduces the burden of long and costly commutes, which is a major factor in non-attendance and high dropout rates in rural areas,” Alkalo Sanyang explained.
The school’s opening also means new jobs for newly qualified local teachers, further stimulating the local economy. “Rural schools are often a major employer in a community, providing jobs for teachers and support staff,” said Mr. Ouman Kah, a representative from the Region One Education Directorate. He noted that schools also attract new families and businesses, promoting growth and prosperity. “A local school helps to increase earning potential and improve overall standards of living,” he added.
Lamin Fatty, Chairman of the Faraba-Sutu Village Development Committee, highlighted the broader impact: “A school can serve as a focal point for social, cultural, and recreational life. It provides a central meeting place for community events, fostering strong social cohesion and a shared sense of identity.”
By offering education to all children—including girls and marginalized groups—the Faraba-Sutu Lower Basic School is helping to reduce inequality and create a more inclusive society. Fatty noted the transformative effect of educating girls and the role of education in improving health outcomes and instilling pride in the community.
The opening of the Faraba-Sutu Lower Basic School stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collective effort and partnership. As children settle into their new classrooms, the community looks ahead with hope, knowing that the next generation will have greater opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive right at home.
