The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST), in collaboration with the World Bank and the RISE Project, has awarded 1,087 scholarships to students across 25 public and private Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. The total value of these scholarships amounts to GMD 396,761,321.50.
Each scholarship provides $400 per student, covering tuition fees and stipends, with additional financial assistance offered to students from regional TVET centres to address transportation and accommodation costs.
During the award ceremony, President Adama Barrow emphasized the government's commitment to implementing a robust monitoring system aimed at achieving an 80% employability rate among the scholarship recipients. This initiative is designed to address the pressing issue of youth and women unemployment in the country.
President Barrow also outlined further initiatives aimed at enhancing the capabilities of TVET institutions. He announced the forthcoming launch of Window One (1) of the Fund, which will offer grants to TVET institutions for the development of high-quality infrastructure and equipment. The objective is to bolster the technical and teaching capacities of vocational training centres.
Additionally, Window Three (3) is set to be launched in the last quarter of 2025 to provide startup support and mentorship for the youth. These three funding windows are strategically designed to elevate the quality of The Gambia's TVET programs to align with the needs of the labour market.
The awards ceremony, which celebrated the potential of youth and their educational pursuits, was graced by the presence of His Excellency President Adama Barrow at the Sir Dawda International Conference Centre.
Original article from GRTS News
