Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Assembly of The Gambia on Friday passed the Students’ Revolving Loan Scheme Bill, 2024, with amendments, marking a major policy shift aimed at expanding access to tertiary and higher education across the country.
The bill, which was tabled by Professor Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, successfully navigated its second reading and consideration stages before receiving the endorsement of lawmakers.
Designed to address long-standing inequities in higher education access, the legislation seeks to establish a sustainable loan scheme that would enable Gambian students—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—to finance their post-secondary education. It places a particular emphasis on gender inclusion and equitable access.
Each year, hundreds of Gambian students complete secondary education with ambitions to further their studies, yet many are forced to abandon those aspirations due to financial constraints. The bill acknowledges that existing government scholarships, administered through the Ministry of Higher Education, are insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Under the new scheme, eligible students will be able to access loans to support their academic pursuits. These loans are to be repaid upon graduation and gainful employment, thus creating a revolving fund that can support future generations—a model aimed at long-term self-sustainability.
The Students’ Revolving Loan Scheme is expected to become a cornerstone in The Gambia’s effort to widen educational access, empower youth, and build a more inclusive knowledge economy.
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