A new classroom-based initiative to steer Gambian youth away from risky migration journeys has kicked off at Bakoteh Upper and Senior Secondary School.
The pilot programme, led by the African Migration Advisory Centre (AMAC) in partnership with the school and Lambai Communication, a media and communications company, aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to make safer choices about their future.
Too often, young Gambians face huge decisions about migration with little access to solid information. Misinformation, false hopes, and a lack of awareness about safe and legal pathways can leave lives hanging in the balance. The new programme directly addresses that problem.
Over the next three months, students will dive into migration awareness, critical thinking, media literacy, life skills, career guidance, and vocational training. The idea is to give young people not just information, but practical tools and opportunities to help them build more secure futures at home. 
“This initiative is about saving lives,” said Adrian Corish, Founder and Director of AMAC. “Young people deserve access to accurate information in real time so they can make informed choices about their futures. When youth are equipped with truth, skills, and opportunity, they are far better placed to choose safer, lawful, and more sustainable pathways.”
The pilot is being rolled out with support from school leaders, teachers, and regional education officials, and it’s designed to be a model that could expand to schools nationwide.
AMAC is calling on government agencies, development groups, businesses, and international organisations to help take the programme further by investing in teacher training, learning materials, and vocational equipment.
The hope is clear: that with the right knowledge and skills, the next generation of Gambians will find new reasons to stay and build their lives at home, rather than risk dangerous journeys abroad.
