Termination of School Fees for First Six Years of Schooling

In February 1998, President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia made a landmark decision to terminate school fees for the first six years of schooling. This initiative was aimed at increasing access to education for children in a country where financial constraints and inadequate educational infrastructure had long hindered educational opportunities. Prior to this policy change, many families were unable to afford school fees, which significantly limited school attendance. In 1995, the gross primary enrolment rate stood at 77.1%, while the net primary enrolment rate was only 64.7%. Notably, girls constituted about 52% of primary school pupils, although this figure was likely lower in rural areas due to cultural barriers and poverty. Additionally, around 20% of school-age children were enrolled in Quranic schools, further illustrating the challenges faced in achieving universal primary education. The termination of school fees was a crucial step towards promoting educational equity and ensuring that all children, regardless of their socio-economic background, could access quality education in The Gambia. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #GambiaEducation #SchoolFees #PresidentJammeh #PrimaryEducation #EducationalAccess