His Excellency President Adama Barrow, accompanied by the Honourable Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (MOBSE), Abibatou Drammeh, visited the Espace Motors warehouse to inspect a consignment of state-of-the-art science and technical laboratory equipment donated by the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development.
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โThe equipment, valued at over two million US dollars, is intended to boost science and technical education in The Gambia, as part of the ongoing Developing Basic and Secondary Schools Project under MOBSE. The donation forms part of a broader KD 5 million (USD 16 million) support package from the Kuwaiti Fund to develop and expand 39 Senior Secondary and Upper Basic Schools across the country.
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โThe consignment includes cutting edge laboratory materials for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Home Science, Woodwork, Metalwork, and Technical Drawing. A total of 29 schools, comprising 26 Senior Secondary Schools and 3 Basic Cycle Schools are set to benefit from the equipment, which aims to enhance practical learning and promote STEM education nationwide.
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โSpeaking during the visit, President Barrow hailed the partnership with the Kuwaiti Fund and reaffirmed his governmentโs commitment to expanding access to quality and relevant education across the country.
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โHonourable Minister Drammeh underscored the significance of the donation in addressing long standing gaps in technical education.
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โโThis is a clear demonstration of governmentโs commitment to strengthening technical education in the country,โ she said. โOur aim is to ensure that students are not only taught theory, but are also exposed to hands-on, practical learning in schools. As a sector, we have long faced challenges in delivering the technical aspects of education, so we are truly delighted to receive this critical support. We are grateful to the Government of The Gambia, under the leadership of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, who took time at short notice to personally inspect these materials. For now, the equipment will be distributed to the designated schools across the country.โ
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โThe Developing Basic and Secondary Schools Project includes civil works in 39 schools across all educational regions, provision of laboratory and IT equipment, school furniture, solar systems, and water points. While 11 schools were completed through support from the MRC Holland Foundation, the remaining 28 are currently under construction with significant progress being recorded.
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โThe Kuwaiti Fund donation marks a milestone in The Gambiaโs efforts to transform its education sector and prepare its youth for a competitive future driven by science, innovation, and skills development.
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