Almadina School Tensions Ease as Stakeholders Commit to Dialogue

Almandinah School Students on a Trip to the National Museum © Focus on Brikz

By Fatoumata Jaiteh,

In a bid to resolve ongoing tensions surrounding Almadina School, a crucial stakeholders’ meeting was held on Monday, 11th August 2025, at the school premises. The gathering brought together parents, teachers, the officials from the West Coast Regional Education Directorate, and Mr Abdallah Ryan, the Gambian-American and representative of the school's proprietor, who had previously locked the school gate in protest.

The meeting was a follow-up to a previous meeting held on Thursday, 7th August 2025. After that meeting, the school has been allowed to operate for the next three weeks, after which further actions regarding the school will be discussed.

During the meeting the moderator clarified the purpose of the event as fostering dialogue and unity, not dwelling on past grievances. “This meeting is about moving forward for the betterment of the school and the children,” the moderator emphasised.

Mr Buba Manneh, a representative from the West Coast Regional Education Office, provided a historical overview of the school’s journey. He explained that the school was originally founded as an Islamic institution focused solely on Quranic education. However, with time, the school transitioned into a conventional institution.

Mr Manneh recounted that during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, the proprietors opted to close the school out of concern that students might not adhere to safety protocols. It was during this time that MoBSE assumed temporary control of the school, operating it under receivership to ensure continuity of education.

A former teacher of the school recounted how he intervened by contacting the proprietors, urging them to reconsider the closure, stressing that it would negatively affect students’ academic progress.

Mr Manneh noted that while MoBSE has been administering the school, challenges persist, including decaying infrastructure, lack of electricity, and ongoing disagreements. He expressed concern over recent events, particularly the locking of the school gate by Mr Abdallah Ryan.

“What’s circulating on social media is not telling well of either the ministry or the school,” he said, urging all parties included to return to dialogue. He reminded attendees that MoBSE does not own the school but is operating it through the goodwill of the proprietors.

Mr. Paul Mendy, Regional Education Director for Region 2 West, praised the parents for organising the meeting and taking the lead in resolving the dispute. “Two wrongs do not make a right,” he said, highlighting the importance of communication.

He affirmed that the school cannot be closed this academic year and revealed that the proprietors have expressed no intention to reclaim full control of the institution at this time. However, he warned that if such a decision arises, MoBSE would respect it and hand the school back.

MoBSE Regional Director Mendy also stated that if the people of Brikama Nyambai are generous enough to provide a piece of land, he assured them that the land would be used to build a school for that community in no time.

Mr Kawsu Jadama, another representative from the regional office, stressed that whether the school is run by the ministry or the proprietors, the priority should remain on students’ learning. Regarding the current conditions of the school, Mr Jadama noted that “There is no law between man and his property,” highlighting that the proprietors can’t see their property in certain conditions and leave it like that.

Mr Abdallah Ryan outside the school © Focus on Brikz

In his remarks, Mr Abdallah Ryan defended his decision to lock the school gate, citing concerns over student safety and discipline. He claimed that during study sessions, he witnessed inappropriate behaviour within the school’s vicinity, including students loitering with boyfriends as late as 8 p.m. He also recounted a confrontation between some students and a teacher, which resulted in damage to his personal property.

“What pains me the most is that I met three students round the school gate with their boyfriends standing close by each other around 8 pm in the evening,” he said. Adding that when he confronted them, one of the teachers intervened, saying, “This is our school, and we are going to be here till 8 pm,” recounted Mr Abdallah Ryan.

He raised concerns about a late-night graduation event, stating that such activities lead to "ill-mannered practices" on school grounds. “The last graduation organised by the school authorities extended into the night, to around 10 pm,” he added.

He frowned on late operations of the school, adding that when it was under his family’s control, extracurricular activities concluded before 7 pm.

Mr Ryan denied media reports alleging that he threatened students with a knife. “That is false,” he stated, expressing disappointment in the media’s portrayal of the incident. “My wife is Gambian, and I see these children as my own,” adding that he is only concerned about the welfare of the kids.

Ms. Olimatou Manneh, speaking on behalf of the parents, said their children were traumatised by the gate-locking incident. “We plead with Abdallah to see the children as his own,” she urged.

Another parent, Mr Muhammed Buarro, called for unity. “We are one family, and we look forward to a future visit by the regional director in a more celebratory context,” he said.

Mr Abdallah Ryan concluded by reiterating his concern about the school’s condition, noting that some of his own siblings now attend a different school called Mansacolley as a result.

The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from all sides to work together in the interest of the students. Dialogue between the ministry and the proprietors will continue, with the hope of resolving outstanding issues amicably and ensuring that Almadina School remains a safe and functional environment for learning.