GCPA-DC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The GCPA-DC Scholarship Program is the framework of the organization’s vision to be a catalyst for change by sponsoring and promoting educational excellence through scholarships, literacy programs, and skills development in The Gambia. The primary goal is to provide scholarships to Gambian children who have not had smooth paths to education due to financial constraints.

The inception of this program in 2008 came about through the wisdom of Michael J. Cleary, the Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Banjul, The Gambia, a former educationist and Principal of St. Augustine’s High School who dedicated part of his life to academic excellence combined with sports and who always believed that the best way to impact ones’ life was through education.

The program is managed by Michael Goddard and the selection and evaluation processes are administered by our trusted partners, Janet Daniels and Nfamara Saidykhan of the Archdeacon Matthias George Memorial Charity Trust (AMGMST), a registered British charity operating in The Gambia, West Africa. At a nominal fee, the services of AMGMST are procured to prevent nepotism and conflict of interest in identifying the scholarship recipients. Stringent criteria are employed in the selection and evaluation of the scholarship recipients based on academic performance and need. Academic progress reports are provided to GCPA-DC at the end of every school year.

As of fiscal year 2017, GCPA-DC has successfully awarded 333 academic scholarships to students of the University of The Gambia, tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools.
These institutions include: Archdeacon Matthias George School, Bakoteh Upper Basic School, Banjulinding Upper Basic School, Bundung School, Charles Jowe School, Gambia High School, Kandiba Primary School, Latri-Kunda Sabii Lower Basic School, Methodist Special School, Min Daw School, Nusrat High School, St. Augustine’s High School, St. John’s School for the Deaf, St. Joseph’s High School, St. Peter’s High school, St. Peter’s Technical School, St. Theresa’s Junior Secondary School, Redeemer’s International Primary School, 22nd July Academy, Anna Marie Riverre School, St. Theresa's Upper Basic School, Tahir Amadiyaa School and University of the Gambia.

Numbers of GCPA-DC Scholarships awarded per academic year are:

FY 2016 -  2017: 52 scholarships
FY 2015 - 2016: 50 Scholarships
FY 2014 - 2015: 45 Scholarships
FY 2013 - 2014: 42 Scholarships 
FY 2012 - 2013: 39 Scholarships   
FY 2011 - 2012: 31 Scholarships
FY 2010 - 2011: 27 Scholarships 
FY 2009 - 2010: 27 Scholarships
FY 2008 - 2009: 20 Scholarships