By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of Phase 1 of the Sierra Leone Free Education Project, Ambrose T. Sesay, the Project Coordinator of the Free Education Project (FEP), on behalf of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), with support from the World Bank, has officially handed over three additional classrooms each to the Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Primary School and the Mandu Junior Secondary School in Kailahun District, Eastern Province.
This initiative, led by the Government of Sierra Leone through the MBSSE, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance education infrastructure across the country. The new classrooms will provide conducive learning environments, particularly for girls, underscoring the Government’s commitment to human capital development and its focus on education reform. These improvements are set to positively impact the quality of education and learning conditions, in line with the goals of the Free Education Project.
Lamin B. Ngobeh, School Management Committee (SMC) Chairman, Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Primary School, expressed his appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), for constructing additional classrooms at the school.
He noted that prior to this the school had faced severe overcrowding due to a lack of adequate classroom space. The new facilities, he said, have significantly alleviated that issue.
Lamin B. Ngobeh used the opportunity to admonish all to make very good use of the facility adding that if utilized properly it will benefit them for a very long time.
He informed the gathering that the facility has state-of-the art furniture which according to him should be taken care of in order to enhance its sustainability.
Representing the Paramount Chief of the Chiefdom, Chief Sam Fillie, also used the opportunity to commend the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), for the construction and commissioning of the additional classrooms.
He said that as community stakeholders they will ensure timely monitoring of the school and also urged the school administration to make very good use of the facility.
Chief Sam Fillie concluded by also encouraging parents to send their pupils to school in order to benefit from the Free Quality School Initiative adding that education is very important for the positive development of their children in the near future.
Handing over the additional classrooms to the school authorities, Ambrose T. Sesay, the Project Coordinator of the Free Education Project (FEP), highlighted the impact of the initiative, saying it is a core aspect of President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Agenda, which focuses on Human Capital Development, Economic Diversification, Infrastructure, Technology and Governance, adding that since its inception, the initiative has significantly boosted school enrolment by addressing financial and infrastructure barriers.
He recalled that President Bio, during his 2018 campaign, promised free quality education for pupils in Government and Government-assisted schools, a promise he fulfilled upon taking office of which he stated that with support from institutions like the World Bank, the Sierra Leone Free Education Project (SLFEP) has enabled the construction of additional classrooms, one of the Project’s key components.
Ambrose T. Sesay also highlighted the importance of inclusivity within the education system maintaining how the newly constructed classrooms are designed to accommodate all pupils, including those with physical challenges. “Our buildings are inclusive, with ramps to ensure accessibility for all,” he said.
“The symbolic opening of additional classrooms at these schools is a deliberate choice,” the Project Coordinator stated underscoring the importance of creating conducive learning environments for pupils. He explained that the Free Education Project is a multi-donor initiative funded by the World Bank, the European Union, FCDO and Irish Aid.
Ambrose T. Sesay emphasized the responsibility of school authorities, community leaders and parents to ensure the proper maintenance and sustainability of these facilities. He also noted that all classrooms come fully furnished with standard furniture, further enhancing the learning environment.
The Project Coordinator for Free Quality School Education encouraged parents to send their children to school, stressing that the Free Quality Education initiative offers every child the chance to receive an education.
He concluded by thanking the World Bank and other international partners, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, the European Union and Irish Aid, for their crucial support in making the project a reality.
At a similar event, the School Management Committee (SMC) Chairman, Mandu Junior Secondary School and other Community stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, for constructing three additional classrooms at the Mandu Junior Secondary School.
They assured the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education that the new facilities would be well-maintained and fully utilized.
The ceremonies at both schools concluded with the symbolic ribbon-cutting to officially open the new classrooms, led by Ambrose T. Sesay, the Project Coordinator of the Free Education Project (FEP), the Paramount Chiefs of both Chiefdoms and other dignitaries present.
