By providing these bicycles, ChildFund aims to significantly enhance access to education for these beneficiaries, ultimately fostering improved attendance rates and enabling a greater focus on learning, thereby combating the rates of school dropout among students as a result of long distance from home to school.
This program is not just about transportation; it is a vital step towards achieving quality education and empowering children to pursue their academic goals without the hindrance of long and exhausting commutes.
The bicycles were obtained through the Zero Out of School Children (ZOOSC) project, funded by the Education Above All Foundation in partnership with UNICEF, ChildFund, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MOBSE), and the Education for All Campaign Network (EFaNET Gambia). This collaborative effort aims to implement a three-year project.
The bicycles, which were presented to MOBSE during a ceremony at the ChildFund office in Kanifing, will be distributed to Regions 3, 4, and 6.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Musu Kuta Komma, the Country Coordinator for ChildFund International in The Gambia, emphasised the project's significance. She noted that the bicycles are intended to help address the challenges children face in accessing schools in these regions.
“Education Above All, through its global program Educate A Child, has partnered with UNICEF The Gambia, MOBSE, ChildFund, and EFaNET Gambia to enroll all out-of-school children in The Gambia under the ZOOSC project,” she explained.
The initiative, she added, is targeting 66,765 children who are currently out of school, with the goal of ensuring that they receive quality primary education, thereby supporting the achievement of the 'Zero Out of School Children' goal.
“As a partner, ChildFund is committed to providing 3,000 bicycles for the project because, according to MOBSE data, some children are out of school due to transportation difficulties. They believe that distributing bicycles will help eliminate this barrier and contribute to the enrollment goals.”
“The first batch of 500 bicycles was delivered to MOBSE in December 2023, followed by a second batch of 1,000 bicycles handed over in August 2024. Today, we are delivering 1,040 brand new, high quality bicycles, which will undoubtedly fulfill their intended purpose. The remaining 500 bicycles will be supplied and handed over to the ministry in due course,” she added.
Musu Kuta Komma reiterated ChildFund's commitment to the welfare of children, stating that they will not stop their efforts until every child reaches their full potential. She took the opportunity to thank their partners for this remarkable project, which has already exceeded its initial target.
Emily Joof, Education Manager at UNICEF, also expressed her appreciation to ChildFund for their excellent work regarding school transportation. She highlighted the importance of this initiative, explaining that many children rely on bicycles for daily transportation to school, which significantly assists them.
Momodou G. Jallow, Regional Education Director for Region 4, expressed his gratitude to ChildFund and shared his personal experience, noting that he comes from the MansaKonko area, adding: “I have witnessed the long distances that students travel daily, often exceeding 8 kilometers. Jallow pointed out that he has not only heard about the issue but has seen it firsthand. Some students struggle with the long walk to school, leaving home as early as 5 or 6 a.m., which presents significant challenges.”
Adama Jimba Jobe, Deputy Permanent Secretary of MOBSE, also conveyed his gratitude to ChildFund and UNICEF. He mentioned that Fatoumatta Bah Barrow had previously committed to ensuring that no student walks more than 3 kilometers to reach their school, which is why they are receiving more donations from various institutions.
