Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. ChildFund Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), officially handed over newly constructed school facilities at Government Rokel Secondary School and the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) School in Waterloo on Wednesday, 1st October 2025.
The handover marks a milestone in the three-year project, “Increasing Access to Secondary Education for Out-of-School Girls in the Western Area of Sierra Leone,” funded by KOICA, ChildFund Korea, and ChildFund Sierra Leone. Launched in April 2023 and running until December 2025, the initiative seeks to provide quality learning spaces for over 3,300 girls across six schools, reaching nearly 11,000 pupils in total. The project aligns with the government’s radical inclusion policy, enabling more girls, especially those who had previously dropped out, to return to school and complete their education.
The newly completed facilities include three-classroom blocks with modern furniture, two gender-separated VIP latrines, and a solar-powered borehole, providing safe, dignified, and conducive learning environments for students.
Speaking at the ceremony, ChildFund Sierra Leone Country Director Victor Kamara emphasized that the new classroom blocks, six VIP latrines, and solar-powered boreholes at Government Rokel Secondary School represent more than just infrastructure; they symbolize hope, opportunity, and transformation for children. He expressed gratitude to KOICA, Chai Front Korea, Chai Front Seoul, and the Government of Sierra Leone for their support in making the project a reality.
Jaeun Nam, Country Program Manager for ChildFund Korea, highlighted that the project focuses on out-of-school girls, aiming to remove barriers to education and create safe, inclusive, and girl-friendly learning environments. He noted that the ceremony signifies a new beginning rather than an end, with a second phase already under consideration to scale up the project’s impact.
Eunsub Kim, KOICA Country Director, Nigeria Office, expressed satisfaction at the successful handover, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to supporting inclusive and high-quality education for all children in Sierra Leone.
The Rokel Secondary School Board welcomed the project, noting improvements including new classrooms, six mechanized solar-powered hostels, and over 210 pieces of furniture, which will enhance learning outcomes and provide a safe and dignified environment for students.
Representatives from local government, including the Mayor of Freetown City Council, as well as Ministry of Education officials, attended the ceremony.
In his keynote address, Minister of Education Conrad Sackey emphasized that providing secondary education to out-of-school girls is a strategic investment that empowers girls, strengthens human capital, and contributes to national development. He stated:
The Minister described the project as a reflection of the government’s broader commitment to education under President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership. He noted that the new facilities represent not only historic investments in children’s future but also a practical step towards addressing overcrowding in schools such as Rokel, which will now transition back to a one-shift system.
“This project is a physical manifestation of our Radical Inclusion Policy,” the Minister said. “We are determined to ensure that every child, regardless of physical challenges, pregnancy, tribe, or status, has access to education.
He explained that the facilities will help girls who had previously dropped out such as pregnant girls and young mothers return to school and complete their education, adding that this is part of building a Sierra Leone where every child has the opportunity to learn and succeed.
Minister Sackey further highlighted the broader project impact: over 500,000 girls remain out of school, and the initiative is part of a wider government effort to expand access to quality education. He stressed the importance of community involvement, innovative funding, and the need for collective action to ensure sustainable educational outcomes. He acknowledged the $1.5 million support from ChildFund and emphasized that donor investments are strategic tools to empower children, not mere handouts. The Minister also praised efforts to register out-of-school girls for exams, providing equal opportunities for learning and participation.
The program concluded with a drama performance by pupils of Government Rokel Secondary School, followed by the official ribbon-cutting and unveiling of plaques at the newly constructed buildings by Minister Sackey, who also led a tour of the facilities.
The project is expected to reduce overcrowding, improve pupil-teacher ratios, and provide a safe, inclusive, and conducive learning environment, ensuring that children, particularly girls, can pursue their education with dignity, confidence, and hope for a better future.
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