October 2026

The Gambia’s population c.2.75m is still rising rapidly (1.5m in 2000). The population is concentrated, with approximately 70% living in an area 50m x 30m, south of the Gambia River adjacent to the coast.

NB 14 of the 15 GSS assisted schools are within this area

Scale of the task

Today about 270,000 children are 3-7 years old. The age structure is becoming more balanced – 45% of the population was under 15 in 2000, about 38% today. This is likely to be due to improved healthcare and wider female education. Mothers have between 5 and 6 children on average. About 50% of these children are enrolled in a pre-primary school, a big improvement from around 17% in 2000.

NB 2,250 pupils attend GSS assisted schools

Types of school

  • 25% State ECD (Early Child Development) schools. These are usually within a State Primary (Lower Basic) school. Class sizes and the teaching tends to leave a lot to be desired
  • 2% Mission schools
  • 15% Madrassa – focus is on the Quran and Islamic studies
  • 58% Private (for profit) and Community (non-profit) schools – there are a few excellent private schools though most are poor quality. Community schools are mostly under-funded and struggle.

NB GSS assists only Community owned pre-primary schools

Poor attainment

A 2022 study by IIEP/UNESCO found that only 4% of pre-primary school leavers were ‘ready’ for primary level. This was a small study and the ‘social’ benefits of going to school were probably not included. However, it is now widely accepted that missing out on early years education is a setback “starting behind in the early years, means staying behind” UNICEF.

Regulatory regime

The sector is regulated by Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education (MoBSE). MoBSE are responsible for both Early Child Development (ECD) and Primary (7-13). GSS works with MoBSE with JV’s in Brufut and Pirang. In 2025 MoBSE required all pre-primary schools to register with them. A school not complying with MoBSE’s many requirements will be closed they say. A great many schools will struggle to comply.

NB all GSS assisted schools are registered and compliant

Structure

ECD is at four stages:

Nursery/Daycare age 3-4, Level 1 age 4-5, Level 2 age 5-6, Level 3 age 6-7
MoBSE published a Levels 1 & 2 curriculum in 2019, Level 3 is awaited.

ECD qualification

The UEG [University for Education, The Gambia] run two 3-year ECD teaching qualification courses – a pre-service and an in-service. The quality of the courses is being improved though classroom experience is lacking.

NB GSS pays for its best trainee teachers to gain their ECD qualification as well as takes UEG students who do not have school placements and provides them with classroom experience at a GSS assisted school while they are doing their course.

Languages

English is the official language and until recently MoBSE required it to be used to teach at ECD.

Now the use of local language is encouraged alongside English – the main ones being: Mandinka, Wolof and Fula.