In the Gambia more than 150, 000 children are out of school for different reasons, according to national out-of-school children study done in 2016.
By Mustapha Darboe
Gambia government will start the implementation of a $30 million dollar grant the country has secured from World Bank next month, authorities at the education ministry have confirmed.
The grant which was signed by the finance ministry in April is earmarked for building of new classrooms, help students who have learning difficulties with learning aids, training of teachers and the development of students at nursery level.
“The project will also support Arabic schools,” Ryoko Tonita from the World Bank told Kerr Fatou at a one-day donour review conference held at the educational directorate, region 1on Thursday.
Gambia’s basic education minister, Claudiana Cole, said the funding could not have come at a better time.
“Quality teaching still continues to be a priority for the Government and we will continue to work with stakeholders in delivering quality education,” Cole said.
The country representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund, Sandra Lattouf, said the donour conference has come at a time when at global and national levels, “we are faced with challenging demands to provide for every child access to quality and relevant education”.
In the Gambia more than 150, 000 children are out of school for different reasons, according to national out-of-school children study done in 2016.
“We are highly committed to the education sector in terms of funding because without the development of the sector, we cannot realize our development target,” Lamin Camara, permanent secretary at the ministry of finance, has said.
“Every dollar or dalasi is very critical for this country… We can’t afford any more waste… We are almost in a debt distress situation…”
Gambia’s debt is at 130% of the GDP, according to International Monetary Fund.
Camara said the finance ministry is designing a monitoring plan for the national development plan to ensuring effective and judicious spending of resources.
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