Sierra Leone's brand-new old action plan for education

Ten years ago, when Ernest Bai Koroma, President Julius Maada Bio's predecessor, launched his plan to meet a 2015 Millennium Development Goal, a grant agreement for US$13.9 million had been reached with the International Monetary Fund.

With just under $14 million, Koroma hoped to get a lot done.

The nation needed to keep more than 300,000 school-age children in school; have enough money to pay more than 20,000 teachers working in 3,430 primary schools, and employ another five thousand teachers, despite the staff ‘ceilings’ agreed with the International Monetary Fund.

During the 2018 general elections, Julius Maada Bio, presidential candidate for the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP)  said it costs about nine dollars per child per year to attend a government or government-funded primary school. That translates into $22 million for all school-aged children in the country, one commentator said.



At the state opening of Parliament, President Maada Bio announced that the government will deliver his free education campaign promise this September.

Bio has reportedly earmarked 20 percent of the national budget, or about US$14 million dollars, for the free education program. About the same amount of money in Koroma's education budget.

Still, parents are looking forward to having more money in their pockets.


Zainab Dumbuya, whose husband is a hospital guard, says "the pay he gets for the month is barely enough to take care of the household expenses (and) our little boy's school fees. With free education, I rest assured that my boy can be educated without putting us through hell." 

"This has brought a smile to my face, as my children nearly dropped out of school because I couldn't pay their school fees," said Ramatu Turay, a single mother with three sons. "I'm certain that this free education project is going to help us and I pray it bears a good fruit." 

The number of school-aged children – six to eighteen years – is estimated at 2.4 million according to data from Statistics Sierra Leone.



For Young Life in Freetown, I'm Inyilla Borteh Conteh reporting.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

COVID-19 vaccination rollout begins in Sierra Leone

Image
  Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health and Sanitation has issued a public notice about its COVID-19 vaccination drive. According to the notice, the first phase began on Monday, March  22, and will continue through Wednesday, March 31. Target beneficiaries are below: Health care workers (Public & Private) Every Health care worker irrespective of age. Military Officers Age 40 years and above Police Officers Age 40 years and above Fire Force Officers Age 40 years and above Prison Officers Age 40 years and above Teachers (Public & Private) Age 40 years and above Lecturers and Instructors (Public & Private) Age 40 years and above Social Workers Age 40 years and above Custom & Immigration Officers Age 40 years and above General Public Age 70 years and above The following health facilities have been designated as vaccination sites:  BOMBALI  Makeni Gov’t Hospital  Kamabai CHC KONO  Koidu Gov’t Hospital  UMC Jiama Sewafe MOYAMBA  Moyamba Gov’t Hospital  Njala U...
Read more

Women’s Day 2022: Ignite Power’s all-women team electrified 60 Health Clinics in Sierra Leone

Image
This year, the UN theme for International Women's Day is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” which recognizes the contribution of women and girls to build a more sustainable future for all. There is no doubt gender equality sits at the heart of a sustainable future, and that solar energy has a vital role in establishing both. With gender equality being at the core of its operations throughout Africa, Ignite Power is impacting millions of women, customers, and employees alike. This week, the company announced the conclusion of an extensive electrification project in Sierra Leone, providing 60 remote clinics and health facilities with lightning and electricity, with installations and end-user training done by an all-women team. The project was executed for We Care Solar, a global organization working to electrify last-mile health clinics and reduce maternal mortality in developing regions. The project is part of the Light Every Birth initiative by We Care Solar, aiming...
Read more

Kadijatu 'KJ' Bah explores her role as a Social Worker

Image
Kadijatu 'KJ' Bah is a third-year student at Fourah Bay College. KJ was also the inaugural recipient of the Hannah Deen for Social Care Scholarship Award, funded by 9River Media, in January 2020. This August, KJ wrote about teenage pregnancy during the COVID-19 lockdown period,  peer pressure, and poverty.  In her second interview, KJ continues her conversations with young people in her coastal community in western Freetown, Sierra Leone. Listen to what the Save the Children Sierra Leone volunteer says about the negative impact of the pandemic on children and families.   Other articles by Kadijatu 'KJ' Bah Teenage Pregnancy in Sierra Leone
Read more