By Bakary Touray Jr
The government of the Gambia has mourned the death of Muhammad Jawara, a 14-year-old (fourteen) student of Ma’ahad Nurr Madrassa and Quranic Memorization Center in Basse Koba Kunda, Upper River Region.
The Government in a press release, stated that the deceased was reported to have died under the mysterious circumstances in the school premises on or about 7th of February 2020.
The government informed the general public that, in collaboration with the National Child Protection Steering Committee and the Office of the Inspector General, preliminary investigations had been conducted to determine the cause of the incident.
A report, as per the press release, is currently with the relevant and competent authorities for necessary actions to be taken.
“The public is hereby assured that any person found culpable will be dealt with accordingly”, it warned.
The release indicated that government, in line with national and international obligations towards the promotion and protection of the rights of children, would continue to exercise zero tolerance for violence and abuse against children, especially corporal punishment in schools.
“The Government has put in place strong institutions and personnel to protect and safeguard children from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse,” the Barrow-government claimed in the statement.
Meanwhile, the government has urged the general public to report cases of child abuse, child exploitation or any form of violence against children to the nearest authorities.
