For students, the season marks a moment of excitement and transition. But for parents, it’s a time of mounting pressure, as they juggle household responsibilities and educational expenses amid a backdrop of rising cost of living.
“I have bought uniforms for now,” said Ida Sowe, a mother of two, balancing shopping bags filled with exercise books and clothing. “When I get more money, I will buy shoes and books. It’s challenging.”
Across inner-city markets like Serrekunda, vendors are capitalising on the seasonal rush, yet many acknowledge the tension.
Dawda Sidibeh, a uniform trader, noted, “It’s disheartening. We have tried to keep prices reasonable, but customers still complain.”
September is traditionally a peak period for school-related commerce, with seamstresses, tailors, book vendors, and parents engaging in a flurry of preparation. But this year, the cost of basic items has left many families making difficult choices.
Elizabeth Samba, another mother, expressed dismay at the sharp price hikes. “Uniforms are quite expensive. A metre costs D150. I planned to buy two for each child, but I could only afford one, for just three of my children.”
The burden is especially felt by large families. Sulayman Sarr, a father of five, described education as “an expensive but worthy venture,” urging the government to intervene by providing school buses to ease transportation costs.
Education remains a cornerstone of national development, with the Gambian government investing heavily to expand access. But for many households, the financial toll of preparing for school is a growing concern, one that risks undermining the very goals of educational progress.
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