Extending basic education to include lower secondary while maintaining the quality imperative: the case study of Gambia

The Gambia has been providing nine years of uninterrupted education, exclusive of the pre-school years. A major challenge posed by these shifts has been to diffuse and reconcile, in a sustained manner, the tensions between expanding access to all and providing quality education. This study, therefore, examines the impact of the policy shifts and their implications. The resultant institutional transformations in relation to the quest to provide quality education amid limited resources are also investigated. Supported by evidence provided by a sample of participants of varied backgrounds, the study also delved into issues on curriculum development, The methodology consisted of a desk review exercise, complemented by analyzes of data collected through a questionnaire. The main objective of this undertaking is to present The Gambia's experience and education system as a model for in-depth examination and possible adaptation or improvement. The study was conducted by a national team, comprising government and nongovernment officials.