By Mahzouba Maya Faal
The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Honourable Seedy K. M. Keita, recently signed a €20 million Financing Agreement with the European Union to support The Gambia’s secondary education sector under the programme, “EU – Support to Improve Secondary Education for the Youth in The Gambia.”
The signing ceremony, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mod A. K. Secka, brought together key sector ministers and the EU Ambassador to The Gambia, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening the country’s human capital.
Hon. Keita emphasized the importance of investing in education, pledging strict monitoring and accountability to ensure that every Dalasi and Euro delivers tangible results. He urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) to develop a clear implementation plan prioritizing measurable outcomes.
The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Dr. Habibatou Drammeh, highlighted the programme’s potential to address persistent challenges, including gender disparities, rural access barriers, and infrastructure gaps. She called on communities and youth to see education as a catalyst for national development.
Speaking on sector reforms, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Hon. Professor Pierre Gomez, described the agreement as a timely investment in teacher training and quality enhancement. He noted that the ongoing transformation of The Gambia College into a university aligns with global best practices and strengthens the pipeline for producing highly qualified teachers.
The EU Ambassador to The Gambia reaffirmed the EU’s longstanding partnership, emphasizing inclusive education, the empowerment of girls, and the pivotal role of female teachers in improving learning outcomes.
The €20 million agreement represents a significant step in the Government’s commitment to expanding access, improving quality, and equipping Gambian youth with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving global landscape.
