‘Survival of the fittest’: The struggle to get to university in The Gambia

What the report says

Students at the University of The Gambia staged a protest this week over transport shortages, weak campus services and safety concerns, highlighting wider pressures facing more than 12,000 students, according to Al Jazeera. The demonstration took place at the Faraba Banta campus and ended at the vice chancellor’s office, where students pressed for solutions to bus shortages, water access, food availability, internet service and learning facilities.

The article says many students rely on university buses to reach campus from far away, and that getting a seat can be difficult. In response to the protest, the Higher Education Ministry said 20 buses had been deployed by the Gambia Transport Service Company. It also said cafeterias were ready to serve students and staff, while additional water filtration and internet extensions were being arranged. Lectures resumed after the government promised improvements, though the leadership dispute at the university remained unresolved.

Students are also demanding the resignation of Vice Chancellor Herbert Robinson and the director of student affairs, accusing them of failing to address their concerns. The university’s student union said the problems affect student welfare across the institution. Alongside transport, students cited overcrowded classrooms, limited equipment and inadequate practical training resources in medicine, journalism and other programs.

The report also points to safety risks linked to travel to campus. One journalism student described being attacked while trying to catch a bus earlier this year, underscoring why students say better transport and security are essential for access to education in The Gambia.