In a joint statement between Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and UNICEF The Gambia, marking the International Day of Education, the two institutions noted the urgency to scale up school enrolment and quality education in the country. They however acknowledged that important progress has been made in improving access to basic education in The Gambia as more children, especially girls, are now in school than ever before; girls are now outperforming boys in most education indicators because of the remarkable success in the girls’ education programmes. The statement further indicated that most children now have access to a primary school within two kilometers from their homes. “This is a strong indication of The Gambia’s commitment to fulfilling the fundamental right of every child to education, guaranteed by the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
It went on: “During the Transforming Education Summit, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2022, H.E. President Adama Barrow made a commitment that his government will “invest in foundational literacy and numeracy and employ skills development initiatives that enhance independent learning, creativity, interpersonal skills and critical thinking capabilities. The Green Recovery-focused National Development Plan 2023-2027 also promises “Equitable Access to Quality and Relevant Education for all”. These are important commitments that underscore the government’s readiness to not only make education accessible but to alsoinvest in quality and relevant education that drives the socio-economic transformation of the country”.
MoBSE and UNICEF Gambia called call on all partners, especially parents, the private sector and development partners, to make it an urgent priority to ensure every child is in school at the right age, and to invest more in the education and skills of children.
The statement however further revealed that while primary school enrolment was at 428,053 children in 2023, more than46,000 children in the country are still out of school and face a potentially challenging future if they growup without appropriate education or skills. Children miss out on so many crucial opportunities when they are denied the right to education, a basic right that no child should have to struggle for.
“With many children not able to experience the full cycle of schooling – primary school completion rate is at 88 per cent, upper basic school 65 per cent and senior secondary school 47 per cent – we must work stronger together to support children to enroll, stay in school and learn.
