Interview with the Steve Sinnott Young Ambassadors in The Gambia

We interviewed two of our young ambassadors in The Gambia about their experience of working with The Steve Sinnott Foundation and Send My Friend To School as campaigners for Education For All.

Both Fatoumatta Jabbi and Therese P. Mendy have worked to promote Education For All with Send My Friend to School and The Steve Sinnott Foundation, campaigning to help women and children in their communities understand the importance of education and enrol at school.

SSF - What did you learn from your time as an SSF young ambassador?

Fatoumatta - As a young ambassador, I have learned that children especially girls faced big hurdles such as cultural intolerance, remote locations, violent conflict, and poverty which are factors that prevent girls from receiving the basic human rights of education.

Therese - I have learned a lot during my time as SSF young ambassador. I have learned to appreciate people with different backgrounds and understand that due to certain circumstances surrounding them can affect their ways of living.

SSF – Did you enjoy being an SSF Ambassador, was it hard or easy?

Fatoumatta - I have really enjoyed speaking for the voiceless children which had always been my passion but the journey wasn't quite easy as it went through some rigorous processes. Campaigning is not an easy task and it comes with a big responsibility.

Therese – Yes I enjoyed. It was not so hard nor easy, for it required a great responsibility to carry out. It was indeed a privilege and honour to be a young ambassador of SSF.

SSF – What did you learn from EFA with Send My Friend to School?

Fatoumatta - First of all, it was a delight seeing you all and working together to ensure that our voices are heard. Your efforts and kind gestures towards these children we advocate for, have encouraged me to do more in my community.

I have learned that we can only achieve goals when we all come together in unity and motivate each other. Also with our diverse culture, we were able to send messages to the world. Meeting with campaigners in the UK was indeed a beautiful moment. The schools and places we went to visit, really opened my eyes to see the world differently from the perspective I had before our visit to the UK.

Also, I learned about the different ways of campaigning in the UK from our fellow campaigners. Their educational system and how children are guided in the UK. Attending the Conservative Party conference and getting to meet some MPs and an opportune moment to talk to them about our campaign.

SSF – What were the benefits of your trip to the UK?

Fatoumatta - It was indeed a great honour and privilege to be given the opportunity to travel to the UK, it has boosted my confidence and made me a better version of myself. It makes me realize that my voice can be heard and make a change not only in The Gambia but the world at large.

Secondly, it makes me know the outside world. I have learned so many things in the UK including their government system, cultures, and a lot more. It was like a dream come true getting to meet young ambassadors from different states in the UK sharing knowledge and ideas.

Therese – First of all, it was a privilege to travel to the UK in 2017 and associate with our Fellow Campaign Champions. As a History student, our visit to the UK especially to the Parliament has really enlightened my knowledge of the Monarchical system adopted in Britain. The images of King Henry with his eight wives, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth the First are all treasured memories to be shared with others. Also, the interaction and educational moments we had with Members of Parliament was beneficial to us all.

SSF – Best and worst moments

Fatoumatta - All the moments were indeed wonderful but one of the moments that I will always remember is going to Manchester to attend the conservative party conference.
Living in the same house with the ‘elders’ is always a memory that will forever remain in my heart! You have all shown us love to support, and kindness, and we were welcomed with open arms and I will be forever grateful.

Therese – All the moments we had were wonderful. The fact that I learnt about, and experienced a new environment in UK left a lasting mark in my heart. The schools we visited were one of the best moments, and the effort put together by Ann, Ellie, John, Ema and all the members of the SSF that came on board was priceless.

SSF – What might you do differently?

Fatoumatta - I would improve on training more of my fellow students in school and making it a never-ending campaign, through this all voices would be heard and all children would be sent to school.

Therese – To improve in my campaigning techniques. And be a passionate spokesperson. In order to bring difference in the Society.

SSF – How easy is it for young womens’ voices to be heard?

Fatoumatta - It might be hard to believe, but we still live in a world where girls everywhere are having to fight to have their voices heard, for their opinions to matter and for decision makers to make choices that consider the reality that girls face every day. And it doesn't stop when girls become women.

As a young person, I understand the need to exercise my civic rights because I have seen and felt what it feels like to be deprived of quality and inclusive education. I have also seen the power of education breaking the cycle of poverty, transforming lives, and building resilient societies.

When we invest strongly in education, everyone benefits. Providing girls with education and equal opportunities will make them empowered women who will contribute to the construction of a just, equitable, and progressive society.

Therese – To start with, history has shown that the young woman's voice in Africa was not valued. Women were less involved in decision making or issues towards the growth of the society. Her voice was regarded unimportant.

With time, and the advancement of education in our society, the educated young woman's voice is heard. Unlike, the woman who is not educated. As the saying goes "when you educate a girl child, you educate the whole wide world". I stand to believe this statement.

These young women are going out to raise awareness in our societies. To help their fellow women to know their rights and the importance of being educated. It is not the work of a woman but women in general. Coming together and knowing their position in the society, that every voice matters in every discussion or issues in the world at large.

The young woman must not be given a blind-eye. Her voice is equally important, in connection with the question her voice is not easily heard, but this can be changed. How? Education is the answer. Knowledge is indeed power. If the young woman knows her position, ready to embrace change and the importance of her voice. Definitely, things would change for the better.

SSF – What impact had this opportunity had on you?

Fatoumatta - This opportunity made me be a better version of myself. It makes me be able to fight for children's rights and speak for them at our community level, country, and the world at large.

Therese – The fear to speak up in every situation I faced as a young woman has been a great challenge to me. Education has indeed enlightened me to be heard. And thus, I have overcome the fear of being silent. This opportunity had positively impacted on me, that is, the spirit to reach out to people and raise awareness in their communities.

SSF – What have you achieved since then personally and in your community?

Fatoumatta - So far, I have been able to sensitize many local women and children in my community about the importance of education and the need for them to send their children to school, and fortunately, the majority of the children are now been enrolled in schools and performing well.

Therese – As I grew each day as a young woman and accepting to learn, has really changed my perception of the world around me. I stand to speak to avoid being abused or harassed at anytime. To give my contribution in any discussion or situation concerning my wellbeing and that of all others. And knowing my rights as a young woman. In my community, I was able to talk with young women who were out of school and children who were not sent to school due to lack of financial support.

SSF – What is your next goal in life?

Fatoumatta - I want to further my education and continue fighting for girls’ education, their empowerment, and their rights. In that I will continue my journey. I want to empower more young girls like me so that it’s not just about one girl speaking out but we have hundreds and thousands of girls speaking out. We give them a voice. We give them a platform. Once you encourage them, once you tell them that your voice can change the world, then they can do it, they can come forward and speak out for themselves.

Therese – My next goal in life is to motivate young men and women to be educated. To seek knowledge, for it is key! And Ensure that children have quality education for a brighter future.

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Steve Sinnott • Nov 22, 2021

Capacity development as part of education

By BY JOSEPHINE DODDS • 06 May, 2024

Education has been identified as a key aspect to achieve societal development. This has been highlighted with the 2015 sustainable development goals, with goal 4 being to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Education has also shifted to being a means to transmit peace and global tolerance through increasing the understanding of other cultures. This has tied in with the rise of capacity development initiatives in development practice that seek to empower and enable individuals and communities to build upon their preexisting capacities. It is a key strategy to ensure educational development by international organisations, governments, and communities. The main principles of capacity development are participation, locally driven agenda, ongoing learning, long term investment and building upon local capacities. By integrating these principles into educational development, it allows for school communities to become involved in peace building activities. Through following a locally driven agenda schools can become centres for fostering peace and understanding and address local issues that may prevent children from attending or staying in school. This is what the UNESCO Associated Schools network aims to achieve by involving schools and educational institutes at a global level, creating networks of educators and students that share information, knowledge and spread UNESCOs value of peace. It aims to join schools through four pillars of learning: learning to know, learning to do, learning to be and learning to live together to create sustainable learning and teaching environments that involve communities in conservation activities, petitions and cultural events. Schools undertake social and educational projects that allow students to get involved with supporting developmental and humanitarian organisations, through fundraising and field trips. Recently The Steve Sinnott Foundation organised an international trip to Japan for the 70th Anniversary of UNESCO ASPnet for the Arts and Culture for peace exchange, bringing together students from The Gambia, Oman, Singapore, Korea and Coventry. By expanding education to include individuals and communities’ local agendas and addressing international issues, education can provide a platform for ongoing learning and development. It allows for students to develop their ability to think critically and connect with others meaning they can both learn and understand issues that might not be highlighted otherwise. By allowing schools, students, and communities to connect and direct their own development and focusing on developing existing capacities, the meaning and aim of education shifts from traditional roles to being focused upon understanding and peace.

Women and girls education GUPT perspective

By BY DALILA EL BARHMI • 29 Apr, 2024

Women’s and Girls’ Full Participation in Society: “Are Palestinian women reaping the benefits of education in similar ways to the rest of the world?” Palestinian women continue to be some of the most educated women in the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region. While women’s academic participation is indeed measurable, they are not reaping the benefits of education. Palestinian women, especially educated Palestinian women, are overlooked, and under-represented in Palestinian society. Current indicators reveal that access to education has not significantly improved women’s status in Palestinian society. It is therefore imperative to benefit from Palestinian women’s education and skills in society not only as a social right, but as a development necessity. The percentage of educated women in Palestine is remarkable and one of the highest around the world with a 99.6% in 2020 for completion in primary and upper secondary. While Palestinian women have always been visible in the national struggle, they have limited leadership and decision making-opportunities. Their participation in civil society and the formal government has been restricted. In decision making positions, women comprise only 8.3% of all ministers, 0% of ministerial representatives, and 6% of assistants to the ministerial representatives. Within all ministries women comprise 30% of staff. In the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, women are the majority, comprising 68.1%. Education unions leading by example: Education unions have viewed the education of future generations, with a focus on girls, as a form of protest, resistance to the country and Arab region’s ongoing-conflict, displacement, and upheaval. Accordingly, women and girls’ education has thrived in recent years. COVID 19 crisis a catalyst for transforming education unions: Education unions voiced that an appropriate response to COVID -19 in the education sector should consider the rights and best interests of students, teachers and education support personnel and involve education unions in developing the containment and recovery measures. This response accelerated the transformation process of the largest union in Palestine, the General Union of Palestinian Teachers (GUPT). They want to have a truly representative union and integrate women educators in the union decision making structures. Despite the pandemic, GUPT continued to engage in social dialogue with the government, continued to fight for decent working conditions and welfare for teachers and education personnel and engage in a process of trade union transformation reflecting the realities of the 21st century. The union stepped up during the rapid shift to distance learning, they have developed online programmes, trained teachers on distance learning and supported students to decrease inequality among learners. The union also urged that the transformation should also challenge discrimination and increase women’s involvement in education, in trade unions and in society. This process was a driver to enhance women’s leadership within the union’s structures. From words to action: Mechanisms put in place to enhance women educators’ participation. With the support of international sister organisations, GUPT developed their own strategy to promote women’s participation and leadership within their union and in education. They developed a strategy, and we identified the following objectives: Increase the number of women in key union leadership and decision-making bodies at the regional and national level, through capacity development training on leadership for women. They have also introduced policies such as gender quotas and allocated budgets for their gender equity programmes. Activate the role of their Women’s Committee and prioritise the recruitment of young female teachers. The union is also working to identify and address the barriers to women’s participation in union leadership and decision making. In education the union is working with the Ministry of Education to review school books so that gender discrimination is not inherently written into the curriculum. GUPT is also organising sensitization training for educators so that discriminatory stereotypes are not perpetuated in the classroom. Finally, for the GUPT it is important to secure the right to education for all Palestinian students, especially girls. Teaching and learning must occur in quality, safe environments. Every effort must be made to eradicate the different types of violence that occur all too frequently in and around educational settings.

Support the Women in our Public Schools on the way to Diversifying Teaching

By BY MARY CATHRYN RICKER • 22 Apr, 2024

Early in my work as the president of my local teacher’s union I was invited to a community leader meeting about reforming the teaching profession. Amidst the discussion of harsher teacher evaluations, raising standards for teaching, creating easier entry into the profession, merit pay for “good” teachers, and more, I brought up the fact that working conditions and salaries hadn’t meaningfully changed since the 1960s. “We’re in favor of paying math and science teachers more so they can be compensated closer to what they’d get in the private sector,” a business community representative replied, offering an idea that was not new to me. Full disclosure: my dad was a career math teacher from that era of math and science majors who answered their government’s call to become math and science teachers who would boost the United States of America’s bench in the space race. I could easily picture how a larger salary could have changed our family’s budget. Teachers’ unions like mine (and my dad’s) addressed pay disparities based on gender that were common a generation earlier by fighting for a salary schedule focused on experience and education. So, I offered back, “If we want to differentiate pay related to the most important job in education, then we should seriously consider paying kindergarten and first grade teachers more than anyone because they teach students to read, which is the rocket science of education,” alluding to an influential issue of AFT’s American Educator magazine from 1999. “Well, I’m sure those teachers are fine but I have volunteered in first grade classrooms and their work doesn’t compare to math and science teachers.” Oh. Interesting. We clearly weren’t going to see eye to eye in our differentiated pay conversation. More so, there are decades long gender stereotypes lurking behind that conversation. In addition to the history of gender based pay inequities, elementary school teachers are assumed to be female while more secondary teachers are male. There has long been a disconnect between the importance communities, elected officials, and countries have placed on education. From local funding efforts to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, support for education is nearly universal in most communities. That support for education doesn’t always translate to support for educators and, with a majority of educators worldwide being female, that sets a dangerous precedent. Our teachers deserve professional working conditions because teaching and learning begins with their expertise. Additionally, a teacher’s working conditions are a student’s learning conditions and so administrators, public officials, or policymakers mistreating, undermining, or disrespecting teachers sends a message to students that teachers do not deserve respect, fair treatment, or professionalization. In addition to a stubborn lack of recognition of teachers as professionals, a vicious cycle exists around salary. Teachers have historically low wages because it is feminized and because it is feminized teacher’s wages are suppressed. The evidence that belonging to a union, with the ability to negotiate collectively, improves teacher compensation is key in disrupting this vicious cycle. Teaching has been a feminized profession for over a century and, despite efforts to diversify the profession, remains a feminized profession. In fact, the OECD reports that the gender gap increased from 2005 to 2019. In order for our students to have the most representative learning conditions, we need the most representative teachers so we must continue to diversify teaching to represent everyone in our communities, including by gender. Efforts like Black Men Teach, active in my home state of Minnesota, can make a meaningful difference. I would posit treating the current majority female teaching population as professionals—with professional wages, recognizing their expertise in teaching and learning rather than infantilizing them, respecting their commitment to education rather than exploiting it—would both model for students the way to treat women (and thereby model for female students how they can expect to be treated in any profession) and create the conditions for everyone to see teaching as a profession worth pursuing.