Inclusive Education in The Gambia: Challenges Ahead for Students with Disabilities

Strategic Insights -

As the first batch of students with disabilities who excelled in this year's exams prepares to enter higher education, concerns about their support and accessibility were raised during an open-floor session. The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Habibaatou Drammeh, emphasized the importance of education being a right and a convenience for everyone, but failed to provide a direct roadmap for tertiary accessibility. This came as part of wider reform discussions with the National Association for the Quality of Education (NAQQA) and the University of The Gambia, where both ministers have previously worked.

Key Takeaways:

  • The first batch of students with disabilities who excelled in this year's exams is poised to enter higher education, raising concerns about their support and accessibility.
  • Dr. Habibaatou Drammeh, the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, emphasized that education is a right and a convenience for everyone, but did not provide a direct roadmap for tertiary accessibility.
  • The challenge of sign language-capable lecturers, adapted exams, and accessible infrastructure remains unresolved.
  • Both ministers have previously worked at the University of The Gambia, where one was a Dean of a school and the other was a Director.
  • The National Association for the Quality of Education (NAQQA) is involved in reform discussions with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to ensure proper alignment of programs.
  • The question raised by a participant about supporting students with disabilities in higher education remains unanswered.

Statistics:

  • No specific statistics were provided in the article regarding the number of students with disabilities who excelled in this year's exams.
  • There is no information on the number of sign language-capable lecturers or adapted exams currently available in higher education institutions in The Gambia.
  • The University of The Gambia, where both ministers have previously worked, was mentioned as being involved in reform discussions with the National Association for the Quality of Education (NAQQA).

Sources:

  • FOROYAA Newspaper, 2025
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)