Dr Cherno Omar Barry, vice chancellor of International Open University in The Gambia, has told Gambian youths to further their education as the job market continues to saturate with degree holders.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Dr Barry said: “Let me give you an example, when we were going to high school if you have A Level, you look for a job and the moment you look for a job, they give it to you. If you have O Level and there is an A Level guy, they don’t even look at you, they will take the A Level guy.

“So, meaning you have to struggle to get A level to get a good job. And then most of the ministers and permanent secretaries who have been in the civil service before, that’s how they get into the civil service. when you get A level you are immediately appointed, no question is asked.

“And later now, if you don’t get a bachelors, they don’t even look at your grade 12 result, when you look for a job, they ask you whether you have a degree.”

“And I am telling you these bachelors [holders] are going to be so saturated, they will start asking you whether you have a masters,” the top educationist added.

“We will get there. So that means every one of you should aspire to grow your education. Otherwise, one day you see yourself lagging behind and a lot of people going for masters and they will saturate the market [and] they will be the preferred candidates for good jobs.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba