The Government of The Gambia has announced an immediate ban on all fundraising activities in public basic and secondary schools as part of efforts to protect its free education policy and shield families from additional financial burdens.
The directive was issued by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) in a press statement dated July 9, 2026, stating that the ban takes immediate effect across all public schools in the country.
According to the Ministry, the decision is in line with its No-Levy Policy, which guarantees free and equitable access to public education for all Gambian children.
The Ministry said the policy reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that no learner or family is subjected to financial hardship in pursuit of education.
Under the directive, all forms of fundraising that require financial contributions from students or their parents have been prohibited. These include requests for cash donations, the sale of tickets for school events to students, and any other fundraising activities conducted within or around school premises.
The Ministry directed all principals, headteachers and school administrators to immediately stop organising, hosting or facilitating fundraising activities in public schools.
It warned that compliance with the directive is mandatory, adding that any violation would be treated as a serious breach of Ministry policy and attract disciplinary sanctions.
The government said the measure is aimed at strengthening equitable access to education while ensuring that public schools remain free from practices that impose additional financial obligations on learners and their families.
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