By Ophaniel Gooding
Sierra Leone drew international attention at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by presenting a comprehensive blueprint for investing in its youngest citizens, emphasizing early childhood development as a cornerstone of national progress.
At a high-level sideline event titled: “Unlocking the Future: A Global Call to Invest in the Early Year” ,convened by UNICEF and Theirworld, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, addressed global leaders, highlighting the country’s bold strategy. His address reflected President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s vision that investing in early childhood is not merely a social imperative but a strategic national and economic priority.
Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, technological shifts and climate disruption, the gathering underscored the universal need for resilient, adaptable future generations. Sierra Leone’s presentation showcased a journey from diagnosing a learning crisis to implementing nationally scaled solutions that are now garnering international attention.
Minister Conrad Sackey outlined the Government’s evidence-based response to the 2022 EGMA/EGRA Baseline Assessment, which revealed widespread challenges in school readiness. “Confronted with the clear evidence that our children were starting school unprepared for learning, we did not hesitate. Under President Bio’s leadership, we built a comprehensive strategy from the ground up,” Minister Conrad Sackey said during his panel address.
Dubbed the “Sierra Leone Model,” the country’s early childhood framework rests on three pillars:
- National Policy on Integrated Early Childhood Development (2021): Guarantees equitable access to quality early learning.
- Strategic Integration in the Education Sector Plan: Embeds explicit early childhood targets within national education strategies.
- Legislative Backing: The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act enshrines pre-primary education as a legal right.
Beyond policy, Sierra Leone’s innovative financing approach impressed global partners. Minister Sackey unveiled a $15 million outcomes fund, established with the Education Outcomes Fund and supported by the LEGO Foundation, the European Union, and the Government of Denmark. The initiative aims to reach 100,000 children in the nation’s most vulnerable communities.
“Our Partnership Compact, ‘Foundation Learning for All,’ places pre-primary education as one of five non-negotiable pillars of reform,” Minister Conrad Sackey said. “This is the essence of President Bio’s Human Capital Development agenda; strategic economic planning that begins at our children’s cradles.”
The event also launched the first-ever International Finance Summit for Early Childhood, with Sierra Leone endorsing the summit as a champion nation. The global initiative seeks to mobilize $1 billion for early years interventions and Sierra Leone’s proven approach positions it as a key advocate.
Highlighting the country’s holistic approach, Minister Conrad Sackey detailed initiatives including therapeutic play labs in children’s hospitals and prisons, and the launch of a Toy Library. These programs, alongside new quality standards, play-based teacher guides, and tailored learning materials, form a comprehensive support ecosystem for children.
Sierra Leone’s leadership at this UNGA event marks a strategic evolution in its international role. By presenting a coherent, well-funded, and legally backed national model with measurable outcomes, the country demonstrates how determined nations can overcome resource limitations to achieve transformative results.
With this prominent global presence, Sierra Leone now stands alongside countries such as South Africa, Ukraine and Brazil at the forefront of the early childhood development movement, solidifying President Bio’s legacy of national transformation through investment in the country’s greatest resource; its people.
