By Isatu Sankoh
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has reinforced its commitment to improving learner welfare by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three key implementing partners under the National School Feeding Programme for the distribution of 27,369 bags of rice across the country.
The agreement, signed on Friday, February 27, brings together the Ministry and its partners, Plan International, World Food Programme (WFP) and Women United for Progress, to ensure the effective allocation and distribution of food supplies donated by the Government of China and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The total consignment comprises 20,369 bags of rice donated by the Chinese Government and an additional 350 metric tons of rice from ECOWAS, equivalent to 7,000 bags. The intervention is aimed at sustaining and expanding the National School Feeding Programme, which plays a critical role in improving school attendance, retention and learner concentration nationwide.
According to the Ministry, the 20,369 bags received from China will be distributed among the implementing partners as follows:
- 40 percent to Plan International
- 40 percent to Women United for Progress
- 20 percent to the World Food Programme
Meanwhile, from the 7,000 bags donated by ECOWAS, 100 bags have been earmarked for boarding homes. The remaining 6,900 bags will be shared equally between Plan International and Women United for Progress, with each organization receiving 3,450 bags.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, emphasized that strict monitoring mechanisms have been put in place to guarantee transparency and accountability throughout the distribution process.
He disclosed that, guided by the Ministry’s Internal Auditor, the handover and delivery procedures have been carefully structured to ensure that the rice reaches the intended beneficiary schools without diversion or misuse.
Minister Conrad Sackey further noted that oversight of the process will involve members of the media, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and representatives from the Anti-Corruption Commission. He described their participation as essential in maintaining public confidence and ensuring that donor contributions are utilized strictly for their intended purpose.
To facilitate smooth delivery, vehicles provided by the European Union and other development partners will support the transportation and monitoring of the rice supplies across districts.
Andrew Ivaguha, Team Lead at Plan International, welcomed the collaboration and praised the Ministry’s leadership in strengthening the school feeding initiative. He described the programme as vital to promoting equitable access to education, especially for vulnerable children.
The Team Lead encouraged stakeholders and the public to observe the distribution process and witness firsthand how the food supplies will benefit identified schools. Andrew Ivaguha also commended the Ministry for maintaining an open and transparent engagement with partners.
The National School Feeding Programme remains one of the Government’s key social protection interventions within the education sector. By ensuring that pupils receive at least one nutritious meal during the school day, the initiative continues to address barriers to education while supporting child nutrition and learning outcomes.
With the latest influx of rice donations, MBSSE and its partners aim to expand coverage and enhance the sustainability of the programme, reaffirming the Government’s broader commitment to improving educational access and student welfare across Sierra Leone.
