By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), Conrad Sackey, unveiled the Government’s strategic approach to addressing learning poverty during a literacy workshop held on the 7th August, 2024 at the New Brookfields Hotel. The event was organized by CODE WECARE in collaboration with The Association of Language & Literacy Educators Reading Sierra Leone (TALLER-SL).
In his opening remarks, the Minister commended the efforts of educators and organizations dedicated to improving literacy among Sierra Leonean students. He drew attention to the concerning findings from the 2021 national Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) and Early Grade Math Assessment (EGMA), which revealed that while 65-70% of ten-year-olds could read words, many struggled with comprehension—a condition described as “learning poverty.”
He highlighted the 2023 Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX) summit, a significant event that brought together African Ministers and education experts, with support from international organizations like the World Bank. The summit reinforced Sierra Leone’s commitment to enhancing foundational learning by securing funding and collaboration from partners, including the Global Partnership for Education and the World Bank.
Conrad Sackey stressed the need for collaboration, particularly with neighboring Liberia, as both nations have faced similar challenges such as civil war, Ebola and the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted the complications arising from various organizations training teachers with different methodologies, which can lead to inconsistency. To address this, the MBSSE is developing a comprehensive Sierra Leonean framework for teaching foundational learning, which is currently being implemented.
Julie Donohue Kpolugbo, CODE Canada’s Education, Literacy and Gender Specialist, also spoke at the workshop, emphasizing the importance of integrating literacy across all subjects. The workshop included practical sessions for trainers and pre-service teachers from Freetown Polytechnic, focusing on strategies for cross-curricular literacy integration.
The specialist highlighted the value of reflective feedback and peer coaching, which are crucial for professional development at all levels. She concluded her address by affirming the collaborative spirit between Liberia and Sierra Leone, stating, “Iron sharpens iron,” as both countries continue their shared educational journey.
