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An African education – UEL students enjoy inspiring trip to The Gambia

Thursday 21 February 2008

A group of students from the University of East London (UEL) School of Education have recently returned from an inspiring two week field-trip to The Gambia in West Africa.

The students visited a wide range of educational establishments to develop their understanding of African teaching and learning. As well as seminars, workshops and classroom visits, the students took part in a variety of cultural events, spent two days in an isolated village, and passed through James Island, made famous by the book and TV series ‘Roots’.

Jessica Forbes and Elaine Holt, second-year students on UEL’s BA (Hons) degree in Special Educational Needs, were among eleven students who took part in the trip.

Jessica (27), of Leytonstone, said: “It’s been an inspirational fortnight – I wouldn’t have missed it for the world! I’ve been working in education for over six years, but in The Gambia I came across some of the most inspiring, forward-thinkingand determined teachers I’ve ever met.

“The children were amazing, too, with a strong determination to learn and succeed. I‘m already planning to return to some of the schools in the summer, and will definitely be on this trip again next year."

Elaine (46), of Chadwell Heath, added: “It’s been an amazing and eye-opening experience. We stayed in rural areas and got a wonderful insight into community life. What particularly struck me was how happy the children were and how keen they were to learn.”

UEL’s School of Education has run the popular Gambia trip since 1999. Carolyn Silberfeld, Programme Leader for UEL’s BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies, led the trip for the second year running.

Carolyn said: “This field-trip is a fantastic opportunity for our students to share their ideas and get a great insight into life and education in West Africa. Over the past decade, we’ve built excellent links with a variety of educational establishments in The Gambia, including primary schools, nurseries, a female vocational centre and the University of The Gambia.

"This year, for the first time, we visited a school for children who are deaf or have hearing difficulties, which was particularly interesting for Jessica and Elaine, who are both studying Special Educational Needs.”  

UEL’s School of Education is one of UK's fastest growing teacher education centres, and internationally renowned for teaching and research in Early Childhood Development. The School offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including Education and Community Development, English Language Teaching, and Youth and Community Work. 

For further details, visit www.uel.ac.uk/education or contact the School of Education helpdesk on 020 8223 6374.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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