[tatsu_section bg_color= “” bg_image= “” bg_repeat= “no-repeat” bg_attachment= ‘{“d”:”scroll”}’ bg_position= ‘{“d”:”top left”}’ bg_size= ‘{“d”:”cover”}’ bg_animation= “none” padding= ‘{“d”:”6px 0px 3px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ bg_video_mp4_src= “” bg_video_ogg_src= “” bg_video_webm_src= “” overlay_color= “” overlay_blend_mode= “normal” section_height_type= “auto” custom_height= ‘{“d”:””}’ vertical_align= “center” top_divider= “none” top_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider= “none” top_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ top_divider_position= “above” bottom_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ bottom_divider_position= “below” top_divider_color= “#ffffff” bottom_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_top_divider= “0” invert_bottom_divider= “0” flip_top_divider= “0” flip_bottom_divider= “0” section_id= “” section_class= “” section_title= “” offset_value= “0px” full_screen_header_scheme= “background–dark” overflow= “” z_index= “0” hide_in= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “b7wxCAQEYl”][tatsu_row full_width= “0” bg_color= “” border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” no_margin_bottom= “0” equal_height_columns= “0” gutter= “medium” column_spacing= “px” fullscreen_cols= “0” swap_cols= “0” padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px”}’ row_id= “” row_class= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” border_radius= “0” hide_in= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” layout= “1/1” key= “GOASqtTjdS”][tatsu_column bg_color= “” bg_image= “” bg_repeat= “no-repeat” bg_attachment= “scroll” bg_position= ‘{“d”:”top left”}’ bg_size= ‘{“d”:”cover”}’ padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “0” box_shadow_custom= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” bg_video_mp4_src= “” bg_video_ogg_src= “” bg_video_webm_src= “” overlay_color= “” overlay_blend_mode= “normal” animate_overlay= “none” link_overlay= “” vertical_align= “none” sticky= “0” offset= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px”}’ column_parallax= “0” column_width= ‘{“d”:100,”l”:100,”t”:100,”m”:100}’ column_mobile_spacing= “0” image_hover_effect= “none” column_hover_effect= “none” hover_box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” overflow= “” col_id= “” column_class= “” top_divider= “none” top_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″,”m”:”0″}’ top_divider_color= “#ffffff” flip_top_divider= “0” top_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider= “none” bottom_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″,”m”:”0″}’ bottom_divider_color= “#ffffff” flip_bottom_divider= “0” bottom_divider_zindex= “9999” left_divider= “none” left_divider_width= ‘{“d”:”50″,”m”:”0″}’ left_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_left_divider= “0” left_divider_zindex= “9999” right_divider= “none” right_divider_width= ‘{“d”:”50″,”m”:”0″}’ right_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_right_divider= “0” right_divider_zindex= “9999” z_index= “0” hide_in= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” layout= “1/1” key= “OYdEAoxDC”][tatsu_animated_heading text= “Sierra Leone Teachers Union Meets President Bio on the Free Quality Education initiative” tag_to_use= “h3” anime_type= “anime_split_letter” text_color= ‘{“id”:”palette:0″,”color”:”#000000″}’ line_color= ‘{“id”:”palette:0″,”color”:”#000000″}’ alignment= “left” anime_duration= “20” typography= ‘{“d”:””}’ hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “me8DZpe9b”][/tatsu_animated_heading][tatsu_text bg_color= “” color= “” max_width= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ wrap_alignment= “center” text_alignment= ‘{“d”:”left”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 30px 0px”}’ box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “0px” text_typography= ‘{“d”:””}’ hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” key= “U0WGN__2Y”]

Members of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, SLTU, have met with His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State House to discuss their role in the successful rollout of the Free Quality Education programme.

Presenting the visiting team, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Alpha Osman Timbo, said the Union was renewing its commitment to meeting the President once in a while to discuss matters relating to the teaching profession and the general aspirations of the state, noting that as social partners it was part of their responsibilities to engage government.

President of the SLTU, Mohamed Salieu Bangura, recalled that in their meeting with the President last year they assured of their readiness to work with the government in ensuring the success of the Free Quality Education Programme. He said they were happy that Sierra Leone was one of the few countries in Africa that had taken up the challenge of providing Free Quality Education as a means of developing their human capital.

He said they were meeting the President again at the threshold of a new school year with the Free Quality Education to re-commit themselves, as drivers of the government’s flagship programme, and to ask government to provide them with the necessary tools to successfully wage the war against illiteracy in the country.

We appreciate government’s efforts so far and expect more to be done in this journey of realising our dreams as a nation. We remain optimistic with government’s assurance that teachers are important component in the development of Sierra Leone and that government will work with our Union to ensure that teachers, who spend their lives building this nation, live in comfort,” he said.

In his response, President Julius Maada Bio said that he was happy to meet with teachers, who play a great role in building an informed and intellectual society. He said government was well aware of the needs of teachers and assured them that the government was actively looking into ways to further improve on teachers’ welfare. He also commended the teachers for their service in building the future of the country and encouraged them to continue the good work.

[/tatsu_text][tatsu_gallery image_source= “selected” ids= “5605” account_name= “” count= “10” columns= “1” two_col_mobile= “1” lazy_load= “0” delay_load= “1” placeholder_color= “” items_per_load= “9” gutter_style= “style2” gutter_width= “40” masonry= “0” initial_load_style= “fadeIn” hover_show_title= “0” hover_content_color= “#fff” overlay_color= “” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “9kpMq02ox”][/tatsu_gallery][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

[tatsu_section bg_color= “” bg_image= “” bg_repeat= “no-repeat” bg_attachment= ‘{“d”:”scroll”}’ bg_position= ‘{“d”:”top left”}’ bg_size= ‘{“d”:”cover”}’ bg_animation= “none” padding= ‘{“d”:”6px 0px 3px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ bg_video_mp4_src= “” bg_video_ogg_src= “” bg_video_webm_src= “” overlay_color= “” overlay_blend_mode= “normal” section_height_type= “auto” custom_height= ‘{“d”:””}’ vertical_align= “center” top_divider= “none” top_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider= “none” top_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ top_divider_position= “above” bottom_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ bottom_divider_position= “below” top_divider_color= “#ffffff” bottom_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_top_divider= “0” invert_bottom_divider= “0” flip_top_divider= “0” flip_bottom_divider= “0” section_id= “” section_class= “” section_title= “” offset_value= “0px” full_screen_header_scheme= “background–dark” overflow= “” z_index= “0” hide_in= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “b7wxCAQEYl”][tatsu_row full_width= “0” bg_color= “” border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” no_margin_bottom= “0” equal_height_columns= “0” gutter= “medium” column_spacing= “px” fullscreen_cols= “0” swap_cols= “0” padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px”}’ row_id= “” row_class= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” border_radius= “0” hide_in= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” layout= “1/1” key= “GOASqtTjdS”][tatsu_column bg_color= “” bg_image= “” bg_repeat= “no-repeat” bg_attachment= “scroll” bg_position= ‘{“d”:”top left”}’ bg_size= ‘{“d”:”cover”}’ padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “0” box_shadow_custom= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” bg_video_mp4_src= “” bg_video_ogg_src= “” bg_video_webm_src= “” overlay_color= “” overlay_blend_mode= “normal” animate_overlay= “none” link_overlay= “” vertical_align= “none” sticky= “0” offset= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px”}’ column_parallax= “0” column_width= ‘{“d”:100,”l”:100,”t”:100,”m”:100}’ column_mobile_spacing= “0” image_hover_effect= “none” column_hover_effect= “none” hover_box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” overflow= “” col_id= “” column_class= “” top_divider= “none” top_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″,”m”:”0″}’ top_divider_color= “#ffffff” flip_top_divider= “0” top_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider= “none” bottom_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″,”m”:”0″}’ bottom_divider_color= “#ffffff” flip_bottom_divider= “0” bottom_divider_zindex= “9999” left_divider= “none” left_divider_width= ‘{“d”:”50″,”m”:”0″}’ left_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_left_divider= “0” left_divider_zindex= “9999” right_divider= “none” right_divider_width= ‘{“d”:”50″,”m”:”0″}’ right_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_right_divider= “0” right_divider_zindex= “9999” z_index= “0” hide_in= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” layout= “1/1” key= “OYdEAoxDC”][tatsu_animated_heading text= “President Julius Maada Bio Engages GEMS Education, Discusses Plans on Improving Education in Sierra Leone” tag_to_use= “h3” anime_type= “anime_split_letter” text_color= ‘{“id”:”palette:0″,”color”:”#000000″}’ line_color= ‘{“id”:”palette:0″,”color”:”#000000″}’ alignment= “left” anime_duration= “20” typography= ‘{“d”:””}’ hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “me8DZpe9b”][/tatsu_animated_heading][tatsu_text bg_color= “” color= “” max_width= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ wrap_alignment= “center” text_alignment= ‘{“d”:”left”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 30px 0px”}’ box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “0px” text_typography= ‘{“d”:””}’ hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” key= “U0WGN__2Y”]

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has met with members of the Global Education Management System, GEMS Education from the United Arab Emirates, UAE and discussed plans on improving the educational sector in the country. 

GEMS Education is a global advisory and educational management firm, known for its prominence in operating from kindergarten to high schools across the world. Through its consultancy arms, GEMS Education Solutions, the company works internationally with public and private sector clients on school improvement initiatives. It was founded in 2000 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE.

Presenting the delegation at the State Lodge on Hill Station, Sierra Leone Ambassador to the UAE, Rashid Sesay, said that they were in country on a fact-finding mission in the education sector, the government’s flagship programme. He said that GEMS had expressed interest to assess what was happening in the country and noted that the visit was a highlight of several discussions with their UAE counterparts. 

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr Moinina David Sengeh, said that his ministry had done a lot of preliminary work that were data-driven, underpinning government’s strategy for education. He stated that his team had done some background and research work in preparation for the visit, while assuring that they were ready to work with the visiting team to have definitive answers at the end of the trip.

GEMS Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, Asad Zafar, said that they were pleased with the warm reception accorded them since their arrival into the country, adding that they were delighted to be in country to commence the fact-finding mission.

He expressed excitement about the prospects in Sierra Leone and President Bio’s passion for education and were happy to join the country to make a difference.

Special Adviser to Founder Varkey Foundation and GEMS Education, Shantha Retnasingam, said that: “My prime aim here is to work with the Sierra Leonean team to identify how we can mobilise resources for the various projects which we will be looking at. We are happy to be in this country”. 

In his response, President Julius Maada welcomed the visiting team and said that Sierra Leone was once known as a center for quality education and for producing the best personnel across the continent. He noted that over the years, the country had lost its place but assured that they were ready to restore the past glory. 

“We know that we cannot be part of the fourth industrial revolution if we do not have a literate population and that is why, as a small nation, we are determined to pre-position ourselves. As a government, we have resolved that we can change the old narrative. So, we need your knowledge and expertise as we embark on this journey. Education is what we want to give to every child and we are committed to that,’’ he said.

[/tatsu_text][tatsu_gallery image_source= “selected” ids= “5605” account_name= “” count= “10” columns= “1” two_col_mobile= “1” lazy_load= “0” delay_load= “1” placeholder_color= “” items_per_load= “9” gutter_style= “style2” gutter_width= “40” masonry= “0” initial_load_style= “fadeIn” hover_show_title= “0” hover_content_color= “#fff” overlay_color= “” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “9kpMq02ox”][/tatsu_gallery][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

[tatsu_section bg_color= “” bg_image= “” bg_repeat= “no-repeat” bg_attachment= ‘{“d”:”scroll”}’ bg_position= ‘{“d”:”top left”}’ bg_size= ‘{“d”:”cover”}’ bg_animation= “none” padding= ‘{“d”:”6px 0px 3px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ bg_video_mp4_src= “” bg_video_ogg_src= “” bg_video_webm_src= “” overlay_color= “” overlay_blend_mode= “normal” section_height_type= “auto” custom_height= ‘{“d”:””}’ vertical_align= “center” top_divider= “none” top_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider= “none” top_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ top_divider_position= “above” bottom_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ bottom_divider_position= “below” top_divider_color= “#ffffff” bottom_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_top_divider= “0” invert_bottom_divider= “0” flip_top_divider= “0” flip_bottom_divider= “0” section_id= “” section_class= “” section_title= “” offset_value= “0px” full_screen_header_scheme= “background–dark” overflow= “” z_index= “0” hide_in= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “b7wxCAQEYl”][tatsu_row full_width= “0” bg_color= “” border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” no_margin_bottom= “0” equal_height_columns= “0” gutter= “medium” column_spacing= “px” fullscreen_cols= “0” swap_cols= “0” padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px”}’ row_id= “” row_class= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” border_radius= “0” hide_in= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” layout= “1/1” key= “GOASqtTjdS”][tatsu_column bg_color= “” bg_image= “” bg_repeat= “no-repeat” bg_attachment= “scroll” bg_position= ‘{“d”:”top left”}’ bg_size= ‘{“d”:”cover”}’ padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “0” box_shadow_custom= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” bg_video_mp4_src= “” bg_video_ogg_src= “” bg_video_webm_src= “” overlay_color= “” overlay_blend_mode= “normal” animate_overlay= “none” link_overlay= “” vertical_align= “none” sticky= “0” offset= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px”}’ column_parallax= “0” column_width= ‘{“d”:100,”l”:100,”t”:100,”m”:100}’ column_mobile_spacing= “0” image_hover_effect= “none” column_hover_effect= “none” hover_box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” overflow= “” col_id= “” column_class= “” top_divider= “none” top_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″,”m”:”0″}’ top_divider_color= “#ffffff” flip_top_divider= “0” top_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider= “none” bottom_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″,”m”:”0″}’ bottom_divider_color= “#ffffff” flip_bottom_divider= “0” bottom_divider_zindex= “9999” left_divider= “none” left_divider_width= ‘{“d”:”50″,”m”:”0″}’ left_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_left_divider= “0” left_divider_zindex= “9999” right_divider= “none” right_divider_width= ‘{“d”:”50″,”m”:”0″}’ right_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_right_divider= “0” right_divider_zindex= “9999” z_index= “0” hide_in= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” layout= “1/1” key= “OYdEAoxDC”][tatsu_animated_heading text= “YEARBOOK CONTENT MINISTRY OF BASIC AND SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION 2020” tag_to_use= “h3” anime_type= “anime_split_letter” text_color= ‘{“id”:”palette:0″,”color”:”#000000″}’ line_color= ‘{“id”:”palette:0″,”color”:”#000000″}’ alignment= “left” anime_duration= “20” typography= ‘{“d”:””}’ hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “me8DZpe9b”][/tatsu_animated_heading][tatsu_text bg_color= “” color= “” max_width= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ wrap_alignment= “center” text_alignment= ‘{“d”:”left”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 30px 0px”}’ box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “0px” text_typography= ‘{“d”:””}’ hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” key= “U0WGN__2Y”]

The Background

The Free Quality School Education (FQSE) program is the national flagship program of the New Direction government headed by His Excellency, President Retired Brigadier-General Julius Maada Bio. The President officially launched the FQSE program on August 20, 2018. Keeping to his promise to the people of Sierra Leone about developing the human capital of the country through education and skilled training, the President committed 21% of the national budget to the education sector.

The Implementation

On September 17, 2018, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) led by the Minister officially started the implementation of Phase One of the FQSE program. Considering that the New Direction government started the implementation of the FQSE program just three months after the President and government were elected, whereby the government inherited a battered economy shrouded in billions of bank overdrafts, internal and external debts, and the seeming lack of trust and confidence in a Sierra Leonean government by the international community, and especially development partners, it took the government very crafty innovation to have successfully implemented the FQSE program in the past year. It was evidently clear that the program needed a lot of resources to successfully implement it, but the public understanding of the economic state of the country created more doubts about the viability of the program itself. However, the government through the MBSSE and with the help of development partners put huge resources into the implementation of the program. In the past one year (2018-2019), the government distributed up to 94 containers of core textbooks in all core subject areas including Math, English Language, Science, Civic Education and Social Studies to pupils attending government and government-assisted schools throughout the country. The government also distributed about 12 million exercise books to children attending public schools. The government further relieved the burden of paying school fees from parents by paying up to Le43 Billion in school fee subsidies thereby providing the opportunity for families to address other pressing personal issues. The government, with help from development partners has also spent huge resources on furniture and school infrastructure expansion subsidies.

Having tackled some of the most pressing issues that underpin the success of the FQSE program, the government, through the MBSSE also realized that in order for the FQSE program to be sustainable and achieve its long term goal of human capacity development, that it is important to introduce early childhood development program where the MBSSE captures children’s physical, socio emotional, cognitive and linguistic development at an early age prior to primary education level. To this end, the MBSSE also officially launched the Early Childhood Development (ECD) program in 2019. As part of its priority agenda item, the Ministry has also raised awareness on girl-child education and has encouraged girls to enroll in school, stay in school up to at least the completion of basic education. The Ministry has also provided resources such as hygiene kits for girls to support them in schools. The Ministry is also at the advanced stages of finalizing preparations for the start of a national school feeding program. This program is intended to motivate children to go to school, eat nutritious food, gain energy, maintain their health and stay in school. Furthermore, though not part of the FQSE package, but rather a bonus, the government has also successfully introduced a national school bus system which children across the country are utilizing under stringent management by communities, local councils, youth organizations and the police to help them get to school and home with ease. Having also forecast the surge in enrollment of pupils in schools because of the FQSE program, the MBSSE proactively decided to approve more schools – about 3,041 schools were approved throughout the country in the past year. The government, with its understanding of the fact that the success of the FQSE program hinges more on the role of teachers has provided teaching and learning materials that help teachers to teach effectively and efficiently. It has also worked out modalities that address issues of teacher-pupil ratio, teacher re-assessment, teacher retirement and the condition of service for teachers generally. The MBSSE, through the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has recruited about 5,000 teachers, about 3,600 on active payroll with the rest still being processed. The TSC has also successfully re-assessed 1,901 teachers.

Performance Indicators

On the overall, it is justifiable to state that the FQSE program has been a huge success. Considering the huddles and uncertainties that lied ahead of the program prior to its implementation due to the weak economy inherited by the government and the polarized citizenry that nurtured varying belief systems about national development, it could have been impossible to successfully implement the FQSE program had it not been for the determination, consistency, organization and professionalism exhibited by the government through the MBSSE. Today, more and more children including girls have enrolled in schools thereby removing the nurtured belief that education in Sierra Leone is not a right, but a privilege. It has also removed the myth about girls’ education in the country. Government has created huge awareness and better understanding about the relevance of the education of girls in national development. Parents and guardians have received huge relief from paying school fees and buying core textbooks for their children because government now pays school fees subsidies and supplies pupils with core textbooks in core subject areas at no cost. Many schools across the country have benefitted from school expansion and furniture subsidies and have used those subsidies to expand classrooms and buy more furniture. This effort will continue throughout the country to ensure that pupils are learning in a conducive environment. It will also phase out the two-shift system from schools especially in the urban areas so pupils can spend more hours in schools and use those hours to learn quality and relevant materials. Upholding the “Integrity” component of the FQSE program, the government through the MBSSE has uncovered examination malpractices as a serious issue that undermines government’s effort to develop the human capital of the country through quality education. Government is now working on strategies to remedy the anomaly. The introduction of a nationwide school bus system has been a huge motivation to children across the country. Children are motivated to go to school especially those who ride the buses. The effective management of teachers by the TSC and improving their condition of service is expected to have a positive impact on the FQSE program. The “Quality and Relevance” component of the FQSE program are in the hands of teachers. Hence, to uphold the component, the TSC in concert with the MBSSE has put certain measures in place. Teachers are now licensed and must be trained and qualified to teach in any of the approved schools. This approach has created the need for teachers to acquire the requisite training and qualifications and proper licensing to teach the right materials and conduct themselves in professional manners.

The Challenges

It is undoubtedly clear that the FQSE program has been met with some challenges. Phase One of the program implementation was focused on schools, pupils and teaching and learning materials. Phase Two is expected to focus more on addressing issues associated with teachers, especially government’s negotiation of their conditions of service. That continues to be a challenge. There is also the challenge of building more school infrastructures due to the surge in the enrollment of pupils across the country. Government will continue to need more financial resources to sustain the payment of education subsidies. Government will further need to provide lasting solution to the problem of examination malpractices if the “Integrity” component of the FQSE is to be effectively upheld. The effective monitoring of schools continues to be a challenge as the Education Ministry had gone for more than a decade with up to 400 vacancies in the Inspectorate Directorate. The FQSE program will inevitably need Inspectors and Supervisors of schools to robustly monitor an educational system that is expected to play a huge role in developing the human capital of the country. With the recent policy on pregnant girls attending schools, there is need to incorporate sexual and reproductive health education into the school curriculum to educate boys and girls on sexual and reproductive health, consequences of early pregnancy, and to proactively tackle any potential backlash from the policy. Since the FQSE program is for all Sierra Leonean children of school-going ages, it continues to be a challenge for government to determine the long-term plan for incorporating unaccompanied children, orphans and “street children” into the program. The program is to also do more to incorporate innovations that serve special needs children in schools. With the political will of the country, and the determination of government to develop the human capital of the country, these challenges are expected to be surmounted with the right attitudes, approaches and solutions.

Phodei Ibrahim Sheriff

Communications Specialist, MBSSE

[/tatsu_text][tatsu_gallery image_source= “selected” ids= “5599,5600,5601” account_name= “” count= “10” columns= “3” two_col_mobile= “1” lazy_load= “0” delay_load= “1” placeholder_color= “” items_per_load= “9” gutter_style= “style2” gutter_width= “40” masonry= “0” initial_load_style= “fadeIn” hover_show_title= “0” hover_content_color= “#fff” overlay_color= “” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” padding= ‘{“d”:””}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “9kpMq02ox”][/tatsu_gallery][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]

[tatsu_section bg_color= “” bg_image= “” bg_repeat= “no-repeat” bg_attachment= ‘{“d”:”scroll”}’ bg_position= ‘{“d”:”top left”}’ bg_size= ‘{“d”:”cover”}’ bg_animation= “none” padding= ‘{“d”:”90px 0px 90px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ bg_video_mp4_src= “” bg_video_ogg_src= “” bg_video_webm_src= “” overlay_color= “” overlay_blend_mode= “none” section_height_type= “auto” custom_height= ‘{“d”:””}’ vertical_align= “center” top_divider= “none” top_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider= “none” top_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ top_divider_position= “above” bottom_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ bottom_divider_position= “below” top_divider_color= “#ffffff” bottom_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_top_divider= “0” invert_bottom_divider= “0” flip_top_divider= “0” flip_bottom_divider= “0” section_id= “” section_class= “” section_title= “” offset_value= “” full_screen_header_scheme= “background–dark” overflow= “” z_index= “0” hide_in= “0” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” key= “Hy-D1fm1UX”][tatsu_row full_width= “0” bg_color= “” border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_color= “” no_margin_bottom= “0” equal_height_columns= “0” gutter= “medium” column_spacing= “px” fullscreen_cols= “0” swap_cols= “0” padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px”}’ row_id= “” row_class= “” box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” border_radius= “0px” hide_in= “0” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” layout= “1/1” key= “Hkxw1f7k8m”][tatsu_column bg_color= “” bg_image= “” bg_repeat= “no-repeat” bg_attachment= “scroll” bg_position= ‘{“d”:”top left”}’ bg_size= ‘{“d”:”cover”}’ padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:””}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “0px” box_shadow_custom= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” bg_video_mp4_src= “” bg_video_ogg_src= “” bg_video_webm_src= “” overlay_color= “” overlay_blend_mode= “none” animate_overlay= “none” link_overlay= “” vertical_align= “none” sticky= “0” offset= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px”}’ column_parallax= “0” column_width= ‘{“d”:100,”l”:100,”t”:100,”m”:100}’ column_mobile_spacing= “0” image_hover_effect= “none” column_hover_effect= “none” hover_box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” overflow= “” col_id= “” column_class= “” top_divider= “none” top_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″,”m”:”0″}’ top_divider_color= “#ffffff” flip_top_divider= “0” top_divider_zindex= “9999” bottom_divider= “none” bottom_divider_height= ‘{“d”:”100″,”m”:”0″}’ bottom_divider_color= “#ffffff” flip_bottom_divider= “0” bottom_divider_zindex= “9999” left_divider= “none” left_divider_width= ‘{“d”:”50″,”m”:”0″}’ left_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_left_divider= “0” left_divider_zindex= “9999” right_divider= “none” right_divider_width= ‘{“d”:”50″,”m”:”0″}’ right_divider_color= “#ffffff” invert_right_divider= “0” right_divider_zindex= “9999” z_index= “0” hide_in= “0” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” layout= “1/1” key= “B1vkG7JIX”][tatsu_text bg_color= “” color= “” max_width= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ wrap_alignment= “center” text_alignment= ‘{“d”:”left”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 30px 0px”}’ box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “0px” text_typography= ‘{“d”:””}’ hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” key= “Y_6PAPVi7”]

London, United Kingdom, Sunday 19 January 2020

[/tatsu_text][tatsu_inline_text max_width= ‘{“d”:”100″}’ wrap_alignment= “center” text_alignment= ‘{“d”:”left”}’ margin= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 30px 0px”}’ bg_color= “” typography= ‘{“d”:””}’ box_shadow= “0px 0px 0px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_style= ‘{“d”:”solid”,”l”:”solid”,”t”:”solid”,”m”:”solid”}’ border= ‘{“d”:”0px 0px 0px 0px”}’ border_color= “” border_radius= “0px” hide_in= “” css_id= “” css_classes= “” animate= “1” animation_type= “none” animation_delay= “0” animation_duration= “300” key= “rkSNKee8X”]

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio’s meeting with Antonio Rüdiger on the margins of the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London has yielded Le 1 Billion (USD 101,000) for Sierra Leone’s Free Quality Education initiative.

The German professional footballer, who plays as a centre back for Premier League club Chelsea, said he was donating the money as his modest contribution to the President’s flagship project, which aims to support over two million children in primary and secondary schools in the West African nation. He commended President Bio for his commitment to human capital development, adding that that was the bedrock for every national development.

Born to Sierra Leonean parents in Germany, Antonio’s parents fled Sierra Leone during the war and resettled in Germany. Rüdiger assured the President that he was committed to supporting his government’s effort at rebranding the natural resource-rich country with huge potentials for investments.

“Sierra Leone is my home. I’m not the talking type of a person, I am about action. You can count on us and do not hesitate. We are here to support your vision and agenda, especially on education. I am ready to take on my responsibility to change the narrative and image of Sierra Leone,” he said.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Education, Dr Moinina David Sengeh, thanked Rüdiger and his team for the confidence they had reposed in the government and the support to the free quality education. He explained that every fund was directed to meet strategic plans of the ministry, adding that every decision made for the allocation of funds was also informed by data to enhance delivery and achieve results.

First Lady, Madam Fatima Maada Bio, explained the need for every girl to be educated in Sierra Leone, citing major strides that the government was making to increase school enrolment and retention for girls. The ‘Hands Of Our Girls’ campaign, she said, was designed to provide support and protect the girl child to stay in school. She expressed her gratitude, on behalf of girls in Sierra Leone, for Rüdiger’s support to the Free Quality Education. She also asked him to not only be a brand ambassador for Sierra Leone, but to also lend a voice to the campaign.

On his part, President Bio said: “The narrative about Sierra Leone must change and it is the duty of every Sierra Leonean out in the diaspora to come on board the rebranding process”. He also expressed appreciation of the donation to support free quality education. While assuring Rüdiger that the funds would be transparently utilised for the intended purpose, he also welcomed him and his team to audit the proper use of the funds at any time.

President Bio honoured Rüdiger as one of Sierra Leone’s brand ambassadors, reiterating the fact that Sierra Leoneans around the world were coming back home, keen on being part of the rebranding process. He assured the benefactors that their support would further strengthen the achievement of a developed human capital of Sierra Leoneans and capacitate them for the fourth industrial revolution.

[/tatsu_inline_text][/tatsu_column][/tatsu_row][/tatsu_section]