By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Movement Against Food Insecurity Organization (MAFO) has sounded the alarm over the deteriorating state of education in Kulor-Saradu and Neya Chiefdoms in Falaba District, calling on the Government, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and development partners to take immediate and coordinated action.
During a recent engagement with education stakeholders in Falaba, MAFO presented findings from a comprehensive study on the challenges facing 14 underperforming schools across several remote communities. The research was conducted under the Education Priorities 2022–2026 Sector Plan, with support from AVSI and funding from the European Union (EU).
The study utilized focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs), targeting 463 respondents, including pupils, teachers, school leaders, School Management Committees (SMCs), Community Teachers Associations (CTAs), community leaders and officials from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and Free Quality School Education (FQSE) Secretariat.
The communities covered in Kulor-Saradu included Bumbukoro, Bandapirie, Fayia, Gbanworia, Sankarama, Nerekoro, and Sendia, while in Neya Chiefdom, the study reached Tenaselia, Kondedalema, Manian, Kemoya, Banboria and Tagbadu.
Key Findings and Recommendations:
MAFO’s findings revealed serious systemic and structural challenges impacting the quality and accessibility of education in the region:
- Teacher Absenteeism: High levels of absenteeism were recorded, often due to a lack of incentives for teachers working in remote communities. MAFO recommended the provision of remote area allowances for all affected teachers to boost retention and morale.
- Infrastructural Deficiencies: Many schools lack proper buildings and learning facilities. The organization urged the Government and partners to invest in inclusive educational infrastructure and improve road access to these hard-to-reach areas.
- School Feeding Program Challenges: With widespread food insecurity in Falaba, school children depend heavily on feeding programs. MAFO noted that poor road networks and high food costs exacerbated by cross-border trade with the Republic of Guinea have disrupted school feeding schemes and urged greater support for their sustainability.
- Economic Pressures & Child Labour: Many children were reported to skip school to work on family farms or gardens, with parents unaware of the long-term harm. MAFO called for stronger community sensitization on the importance of continuous schooling.
- Severe Teacher Shortages: MAFO observed that most schools had only one teacher, resulting in overcrowded classrooms and poor learning outcomes.
- Cross-Border Trade Concerns: Due to currency exchange rate disparities, many farmers prefer selling their produce in Guinea, leading to local food shortages and worsening poverty levels among Sierra Leonean households.
MAFO warned that if these issues are not addressed urgently, the population risks falling deeper into poverty, hunger, and long-term underdevelopment.
“As a civil society organization working in education, we are calling on the Government, CSOs, and development partners to urgently implement our recommendations to safeguard the future of children in Falaba District,” the organization stated.
The report has sparked concern among stakeholders and is expected to prompt further dialogue and action on improving educational access and quality in Sierra Leone’s most marginalized communities.
