Gambiaj.com – (BUDUCK, The Gambia) – The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) has agreed to review and reverse the controversial transfers of several teachers from Buduck Upper and Senior Secondary School in Nianija District, Central River Region North (CRR-North), following intervention by the Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU).
The decision follows weeks of concern over an incident at the school that resulted in the transfer of several staff members and raised questions among teachers and education stakeholders in Region 5 North.
The GTU began investigating the matter after receiving a formal complaint from one of the affected teachers. Its Regional Executive Committee in Region 5 North conducted a preliminary inquiry and submitted its findings to the union’s General Secretariat.
The GTU National Executive Committee subsequently established a three-member panel to conduct a further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the subsequent transfers.
The panel, chaired by the GTU Second Vice President and comprising the Deputy General Secretary and the Youth Coordinator of the GTU Young Teachers Platform in CRR-North, met with affected staff on 7 August 2026 to hear their accounts and clarify the circumstances leading to their redeployment.
Teachers Affected
The transfers identified by the GTU included Omar M. Cham, from Buduck UBS/SSS to Soma UBS in the Lower River Region; Alpha Njie, from Buduck UBS/SSS to Sabi SSS in the Upper River Region; Saloum Jafuneh, from Buduck UBS/SSS to Kabafita SSS in the West Coast Region; Omar A.M. Sallah, Principal of Buduck SSS, to Karantaba SSS in CRR-North as a classroom teacher; Kaddy Darboe, from Buduck to Darsilami in the West Coast Region; and Kebba Touray, Deputy Headmaster of Buduck UBS, to Ballangharr UBS.
After completing its investigation, the GTU panel recommended that MoBSE urgently review all transfers linked to the incident, with particular attention to the six affected staff members identified in its report.
The panel also called for engagement with local authorities in Nianija District to address the underlying tensions and promote a more constructive relationship between the school, the community, and education authorities.
Ministry Reverses Transfers
On 10 August, GTU leadership formally submitted the panel’s findings and recommendations to the Permanent Secretary of MoBSE.
Following a review of the report, the Ministry agreed to return all affected teachers to Region 5 North. Further consultations will determine their appropriate placements in schools across the region.
In a significant development, MoBSE also agreed to restore Omar A.M. Sallah’s status as a school principal and post him to a school within CRR-North.
The Permanent Secretary further committed to engaging local authorities in Nianija District, including the Buduck community and staff of the Regional Education Directorate, to ensure that all stakeholders understand and respect their respective roles in delivering quality education.
Joint Engagement Planned
MoBSE and the GTU have also agreed to hold joint engagements with the affected teachers and the leadership of the schools concerned.
The engagements are intended to improve the working environment, strengthen relations among stakeholders, and ensure that attention remains focused on teaching, learning, and effective service delivery.
The GTU welcomed the Ministry’s response and its willingness to resolve the matter through dialogue and engagement.
The union reiterated its commitment to protecting the professional interests and welfare of teachers while promoting constructive collaboration with education authorities and other stakeholders.
The GTU said it will continue to monitor the implementation of the agreed measures and provide further updates where necessary.
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