Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has reviewed progress under the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) policy as it marks seven years since its introduction in 2018.
At a National Learning Event held at the New Brookfields Hotel, education stakeholders including government officials, donors, district leaders, and community representatives discussed the impact of the FQSE programme and the Sierra Leone Education Innovation Challenge (SLEIC), a public-private initiative designed to improve learning outcomes.
According to MBSSE data, the FQSE programme has expanded access to education for over two million children, supported the construction and rehabilitation of more than 700 schools, recruited 13,000 teachers, and distributed free textbooks and other learning materials nationwide. Officials say these efforts have contributed to improvements in gender parity and smoother transitions from primary to secondary education.
The SLEIC, delivered in partnership with Save the Children, the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF), and other organizations, has focused on teacher training, literacy and numeracy support, and community engagement. Lydia Kamara, Director of SLEIC at Save the Children, noted that addressing challenges such as teacher competency, child protection, and parental involvement remains critical.
The Education Outcomes Fund introduced Sierra Leone’s first outcome-based education financing model under SLEIC, in which funding is linked directly to measurable learning gains. According to EOF Team Leader Abdulai Conteh, the programme has mobilized $11 million, reaching more than 134,000 pupils across 325 schools. Independent evaluations indicate that participating pupils achieved literacy and numeracy improvements equivalent to nearly an additional year of schooling, with notable progress among girls.
Chief Education Officer at MBSSE, Edward Mustapha Kpakra, stressed the need for continued collaboration among government, partners, and communities to build on the gains achieved and scale up successful approaches.
The National Learning Event brought together multiple stakeholders who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s education system to ensure that all children gain foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics at the appropriate age.
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