By Kebba A.F. Touray
On Monday, March 17, 2025, the Parliament of The Gambia adopted the report from the Joint Committee of FPAC and Education on the Students Revolving Loan Scheme Bill, 2024.
This pivotal bill, initially tabled during the Fourth Ordinary Session of 2024 on June 24, seeks to address the financial challenges many Gambian students face in accessing tertiary education.
The Bill, which aims to establish a sustainable student loan scheme, received widespread attention after its second reading on July 15, 2024. The debate highlighted the growing need for financial support mechanisms that could accommodate the increasing number of students seeking higher education opportunities in the country. After a robust discussion, the Bill was referred to the Assembly Business Committee for further consideration, which subsequently sent it to the Joint Committee of FPAC and Education.
Following this, the Joint Committee held a strategic meeting on January 20, 2025, to scrutinise the Bill and identify key stakeholders for further input. According to Order 69 of the Standing Orders, the Committee considered inviting the mover of the Bill and his team to provide evidence, ensuring the Bill’s compliance with the Constitution of The Gambia and other relevant laws. The Bill was then examined clause by clause, allowing for necessary adjustments based on stakeholders’ feedback.
Co-Chairperson of the Joint Committee, Hon. Alhagie Mbow, emphasized the importance of access to quality tertiary and higher education as a cornerstone for national development and human capital growth. However, he acknowledged that many Gambian students face significant financial barriers in pursuing higher education. While scholarships from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST) provide support, Hon. Mbow stressed that these existing financial mechanisms are insufficient to cater to the growing number of students.
“This Bill seeks to establish a sustainable student loan scheme to broaden access to tertiary education financing,” Hon. Mbow explained. He added that the scheme would ensure students without scholarships have an alternative funding source for their academic endeavors. Upon completing their studies and securing employment, beneficiaries, they would repay their loans, creating a revolving fund that supports future students.
The Bill outlines a broader scope for the financial support students will receive, not only covering tuition fees, but also expenses such as rent, transport, and textbooks. The Committee also recommended that adequate guarantees be in place before granting loans, and provisions should be made for unforeseen events such as illness or death.
In its recommendations, the Committee stressed the importance of annual budget allocations to cover both capital and operational costs. They also highlighted the need for awareness campaigns to clarify the benefits and repayment processes, as well as continued engagement with students, financial institutions, and civil society organizations.
The Students Revolving Loan Scheme aims to provide financial aid to students who cannot afford tertiary education, prioritizing marginalized groups, including women, girls, and differently abled individuals. The scheme will also address key sector skills gaps and create a self-replenishing revolving fund, which will ensure that future students continue to benefit. The Bill’s adoption marks a significant step in increasing access to higher education, promoting equity, and ensuring sustainability in the financing of tertiary education in The Gambia.
