The Member for Banjul North, Momodou Lamin Bah, pressed the minister to clarify why private international schools in The Gambia are permitted to demand payments in foreign currencies.
“Why are these schools allowed to charge in foreign currencies when the legal tender in this country is the dalasi? And are there any regulations guiding the fee structure of private schools?” the MP asked.
Responding, Minister Drammeh acknowledged that The Gambia currently has no regulatory framework governing the fees of private schools. “Out of over 2,200 schools nationwide, only 11 are private international schools. While they cater mainly for expatriates and diplomats, we expect all schools to collect fees in dalasi. No parent should be forced to pay in foreign currency,” she stressed.
The minister admitted that fees remain a private contract between schools and parents, comparing the education sector to banking where competition dictates charges. She assured lawmakers, however, that her ministry is drafting reforms to regulate fees, ensure fairness, and protect Gambian families from exploitative practices.
The Member for Upper Nuimi, Hon Omar Darboe, observed that parents are somehow forced to pay in foreign currency, warning that yearly increments are worsening the situation.
Others called for a press release from the ministry to publicly warn schools against such practices.
Minister Drammeh agreed, promising to issue a statement clarifying that foreign currency payments cannot be imposed on parents. “It must be voluntary. The legal tender is the dalasi, and that remains the standard. If schools are forcing parents otherwise, it should be reported,” she said.
Hon. Darboe also called for mechanisms to ensure schools submit their fee structures to the ministry. The Minister admitted this is not yet in place but pledged that once regulations are finalised, compliance will be mandatory.
