PARTNERSHIP PURPOSE & HISTORY

EU – The EU supports education in Sierra Leone through global multilateral initiatives, such as the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), of which the European Commission is one of the main contributors, and through bilateral multiannual programs with the Government of Sierra Leone under the European Development Fund (EDF), notably:
•Support to the Education Sector in Sierra Leone, €29 million (2016-21): to (i) strengthen education system management in order to improve equity and quality, (ii.) Improve primary teaching and learning, (ii) Improve management and delivery of technical and vocational education, (iv) Improve equitable access to junior secondary education
•General Budget Support – State Building Contract 2018-2020: to improve Public Finance Management (PFM), but also trigger reforms in Education, particularly (i) operationalization of the Teaching Service Commission and (ii.) improved TVET policies. In addition, Budget Support promotes policy dialogue with the GOSL to remove obstacles to inclusive education, particularly on the issue of pregnant girls in education.
•Jobs and Growth (expected to start in 2020), €60 million, out of which €26 million to support education and skills development: The action will addresses the investment-education-employment nexus through support to (i) improve the investment climate (access to finance services, improved rural transport infrastructure), (ii) upgrade the human capital (general education and TVET), and (iii) create jobs for a predominantly low qualified work force. As concerns the general education, the project comprises a financial contribution of € 13 million for WB-proposed Free Education Project (Multi-Donor Trust Fund) – see below in World Bank paragraph.