Youth Education Challenges in The Gambia: An Overview

The Gambia’s education system experiences significant challenges, with 41% of youth having no formal education and only 7% having tertiary education. Disparities exist in educational access based on location and gender. The government is working on a national TVET roadmap to enhance youth employability and support SMEs by addressing training quality and accessibility.

In The Gambia, the educational landscape reveals significant challenges. Currently, 41% of young individuals have either not received formal education or have only completed primary schooling. Approximately half of the youth population has attained secondary education, while only 7% have pursued higher education.

The Gambian education system, modeled after the British framework, includes several levels: Early Childhood Development (3 years), Lower Basic Education (6 years), Upper Basic Education (3 years), Secondary Education (3 years), and Tertiary Education (4 years). The official school entry age is set at seven.

Despite the expansion of the education sector, low learning outcomes remain a significant issue. This calls for strategic partnerships to foster more conducive learning environments. Additionally, disparities in access to education exist along urban-rural lines, with rural areas exhibiting lower literacy rates.

Gender norms also adversely affect education, as social expectations often prioritize early marriage for girls, while boys may feel pressured to pursue employment opportunities abroad. Moreover, poverty greatly impacts literacy and educational achievement.

The lack of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills among young citizens, particularly those aged 15 to 24, is another pressing concern. Furthermore, school completion rates are alarmingly low, with primary school completion at 88%, upper basic school at 65%, and senior secondary school at only 47%.

Furthermore, children with disabilities encounter significant barriers to education, both socially and structurally. The Gambian government acknowledges the importance of enhancing youth engagement and the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in confronting these challenges.

SMEs struggle to find skilled employees, which impacts their competitiveness. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) are crucial for economic growth as they provide essential skills needed for industry productivity, increased income levels, and better employment opportunities for the youth.

To bridge the gap between young people and SMEs, the Gambian government has initiated the development of a national TVET roadmap, focusing on its role as an intermediary. This roadmap seeks to ensure that training delivery quality is consistent, courses align with employer needs, and education is accessible in rural regions.

Achieving these objectives requires coordinated action at both the regional and national levels, driven by a comprehensive diagnosis of the existing TVET and apprenticeship systems along with their supporting policies and regulations.

The Gambia’s youth education system faces numerous challenges, including low literacy rates, gender disparities, and barriers for disadvantaged groups. Efforts to enhance educational access and quality, especially through vocational training, are crucial for integrating youth into the labor market and supporting SMEs. The government’s TVET roadmap represents a strategic initiative to improve the alignment of educational outcomes with industry needs, ultimately fostering economic growth and employment opportunities.

Original Source: thepoint.gm