Gambian Government Commits D15 Million to Nationwide School Furniture Drive

By Seedy Jobe

The Gambian government has allocated D15 million toward the large-scale production and distribution of school furniture, an effort officials say is aimed at easing persistent shortages in public classrooms and strengthening the country’s education infrastructure.

The funding, announced by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, was disclosed by the education minister, Dr. Habibatou Drame, during a nationwide tour, according to a statement posted Monday on the ministry’s official Facebook page.

Dr. Drame is currently overseeing the rollout of a European Union–European Investment Bank–supported school solarization project and has also outlined plans for a nationwide school wiring initiative, signaling what the ministry described as a broader push to modernize educational facilities across the country.

Responding to longstanding concerns from communities about inadequate desks and seating, Fatou Jallow, director of services at the ministry, confirmed the scope of the furniture program.

“The government has set aside D15 million for this initiative,” Ms. Jallow said. “Once completed, it is expected to greatly ease the shortage of school furniture nationwide.”

She added that three local welding companies have been contracted to manufacture the furniture, a move officials say is intended to support domestic industry while addressing urgent needs in schools.

Education authorities said the initiative is expected to improve learning environments for thousands of students while also providing an economic boost to Gambian-owned firms involved in the production process. School administrators and staff have praised the government and its development partners for what they described as steady progress in education-sector reforms.