Group picture of the launching
By Landing Ceesay
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST) is set to introduce crèche facilities to support Women pursuing careers in education, especially nursing mothers.
These facilities will cater to children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.
Ahead of the launch, MoHERST held a press briefing to announce a study on crèche facilities in higher education institutions under the World Bank-supported RISE Project in The Gambia. The briefing covered the study’s objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
Mr. Muctar M.Y. Darboe, Permanent Secretary Technical, emphasized that the crèche initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to inclusion and support for tertiary students.
“This initiative is born out of our unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment that caters to the diverse needs of our students, faculty, and staff. As we strive towards building a more resilient and equitable educational landscape, the provision of crèche facilities within our institutions stands as a vital element in supporting the work-life balance of young parents and guardians pursuing higher education and professional development,” he said.
DPS Darboe believes that the crèche facilities initiative is designed not only to alleviate pressure on nursing mothers in the educational sector, but also to support their pursuit of academic excellence.
“We recognise the importance of addressing the challenges faced by those who juggle the responsibilities of parenthood alongside their academic and professional pursuits. By establishing these facilities, we are not only alleviating the burden on young families but also fostering an environment where all members of our academic community can thrive,” DPS Technical Darbo told the media.
DPS emphasized the importance of the briefing and described it as a critical step in their journey towards the realisation of the goal.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders who have contributed to this study, especially our researchers, policymakers, and institutional leaders, whose dedication and hard work have brought us to this point,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kenneth Igharo, the consultant for the crèche facilities study, provided an overview of the research.
“The study is a nationally representative stakeholder survey, encompassing both public and private sectors, targeting all relevant educational regions of The Gambia. The results of this study will guide the Government of The Gambia through MoHERST in enhancing crèche care services, thus, increasing women’s participation in TVET, tertiary and higher education, and in paid work, as well as improving children’s well-being,” Dr. Igharo said.
Dr. Igharo further clarified the distinctions between crèches and other educational programs such as Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Kindergarten.
“It is important to note that a crèche is distinct from Kindergarten, Early Childhood Education (ECE), Day Care Centres, and Alternative Care. According to the Cambridge Dictionary (2024), a crèche is “a place where small children can be left to be looked after while their parents are doing something else, especially for work, apprenticeship, study, or shopping.”
Furthermore, a crèche is typically a modern and purpose-built facility. For example, Maynooth University (2023) describes its crèche as a facility available to students and staff, catering for children aged from 1 year up to below 4 years (preschool age). The crèche’s aim is to provide a safe, secure, and stimulating environment that nurtures children,” Dr. Igharo said.
Dr. Igharo highlighted that female participation in TVET remains a significant challenge at the post-secondary level, with female enrolment significantly lower than that of males. He believes that cultural practices, such as early marriage, could be contributing factors.