President Jammeh has sponsored six students and a teacher at Gambia Senior Secondary School to attend the forthcoming Model United Nations Conference in New York, according to the Daily Observer.

A total of D644, 000 was presented to parents of the beneficiary students last week at the school grounds in Banjul.

The students attending the Model UN Conference are Ramatoulie Kadam, Nadinding Jaiteh, Mohammed Fofana, Salieu Jallow, Kaddijatou Jallow, Fatou Bah and teacher Eric Kanawell.

Speaking at the occasion, the principal of the school, Lamin M.B. Jaiteh said: “On behalf of the board members, Parent Teachers Association executive committee, teachers and the students of my school, I send a big applause to Jammeh for putting education as one of his government’s top priorities.”

According to Wikipedia, Model United Nations Conference is an educational simulation and academic competition in which students learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. It involves and teaches research, public speaking, debating, and writing skills, in addition to critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities.

This year’s conference is taking place from 4th -7th March 2015. Over 5,000 students are expected to attend.