The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), through its Directorate of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education (ECIED), with support from the World Bank Group through the RISE Project, has commenced a nationwide data verification exercise in public Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. This activity marks the initial phase in implementing the Think Equal programme, an innovative approach that places Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at the core of early childhood education.
The ongoing data verification exercise will inform planning and preparation for the full integration of the Think Equal SEL programme into The Gambia’s national ECD curriculum, which is set to roll out in all public ECD classrooms by September 2025, at the start of the next academic year.
Think Equal is a globally acclaimed programme designed to equip young learners with foundational life skills such as empathy, emotional regulation, inclusion, and respect for diversity. Delivered through structured, age-appropriate lesson plans and engaging materials, it helps children build positive relationships, strengthen emotional resilience, and make responsible decisions.
With MoBSE’s full endorsement and following a successful pilot phase, the programme will now become a key component of early childhood education across the country. In partnership with Future In Our Hands – The Gambia (FIOHTG), the Ministry is working to ensure comprehensive teacher training, effective classroom delivery, and strong community engagement.
MoBSE reaffirms its commitment to advancing foundational learning by embedding SEL into the national curriculum, fostering a generation of emotionally intelligent, socially responsible, and confident learners.
