Gambia
Due to a lack of data on Gambia, the most recent stats are not updated yet. According to a report by “The republic of Gambia” in 2017, the total numbers of OOSC children were 72,584. While from age 6-7, the total number of OOSC were 37,936 that is 68.56% of the total population of age six. The main reason for this higher percentage is, most of the children have not completed the final level of Early Childhood Education. Almost 41,276 children don’t complete their primary education and leave school before the last grade.
There are various reasons behind this alarming situation. Not only the teachers but the students become addicted to drugs. Girls have the fear of early marriage and pregnancy. Parents are forced to drop children because of poor financial health.
Other than finding financial support from UNICEF, there are NGOs who are supporting the educational programs in the Gambia, especially for children. Mentor a Child Foundation is working actively to support the bright future of children.
