Gambiaj.com – (JANJANBUREH, The Gambia) – The leader of The Gambia’s United Democratic Party (UDP), Ousainou Darboe, has called for renewed efforts to address the country’s enduring socio-economic challenges, particularly urging young people to take a central role in driving change. Speaking during a UDP national tour meeting in Janjanbureh, Darboe highlighted persistent difficulties in education, rising living costs, and the declining standards of institutions like Armitage High School as critical areas requiring urgent attention.

“UDP is here to stay,” Darboe declared to a gathering of party supporters and residents. Reflecting on his first visit to Janjanbureh in 1996, he noted that the purpose of the party had not wavered over the decades. “Since 1996, the raison d’être of UDP has remained the same, and that’s why we won’t relent. That’s also why I have not retired from politics,” he emphasized, pointing to the lack of progress in improving the living conditions of Gambians.

Economic Hardships Persist

Darboe drew attention to the tripling cost of staple commodities like rice since 1996. “A bag of rice then was less than 500 dalasis. Today, it costs more than triple that amount,” he said. According to Darboe, this trend is indicative of a broader failure to improve the standard of living in the country.

The UDP leader also criticized the government for its inadequate prioritization of education, lamenting that the predictions he made nearly three decades ago about the sector’s neglect had come true.

Decline in Educational Standards

Focusing on Armitage School in Janjanbureh, once a beacon of academic excellence, Darboe decried the deterioration of its academic standards. “Armitage High School deserves special attention, considering its history as a highly rated academic institution. The quality of education there now is far below what it was in earlier years,” he remarked.

Darboe urged the government to bolster its support for education at all levels, including technical, vocational, and Arabic education, emphasizing their role in national development. “All forms of knowledge are equal and can serve the purpose of national development,” he said.

Call for Youth Leadership

Addressing the youth, Darboe called on them to take the lead in reclaiming the vision for a better Gambia. “The onus is on you to ensure the struggles we began are realized. This is not just for the youths of Janjanbureh but for all young Gambians,” he stated.

He criticized the government’s failure to fulfill its promises to students, including timely payment of scholarships, and questioned the quality of university graduates compared to the high standards of Armitage High School alumni from decades past. “We want university graduates who can match the standards of Oxford students, not ones with lower standards than Form 5 students from Armitage in 1983,” he said.

Prioritizing Technical and Vocational Training

Darboe highlighted the potential of technical and vocational education to transform lives and called for increased investment in the sector. Sharing an example of a skilled electrician who earned 15,000 dalasis in two hours, he contrasted this with the earnings of government officials, emphasizing the value of practical skills.

“The government must strengthen the sole university we have, as well as our engineering and administration institutions, rather than rushing to build more universities. Rationalizing resources to optimize existing facilities is key,” he argued.

The opposition leader concluded by urging the government to address the needs of educational institutions like Armitage and to channel resources into initiatives that would genuinely uplift Gambians. “We must invest in our youth, education, and future to create a better Gambia,” he said.

Darboe’s remarks come as part of the UDP’s ongoing national tour aimed at engaging party militants and addressing pressing national issues. His call for youth empowerment and criticism of the government’s policies highlight the UDP’s continued focus on advocating for systemic change in The Gambia.