By Foday Moriba Conteh
The People’s Republic of China, in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, unveiled the “China Education Project” under the theme: “Access to Education through the Provision of Furniture to Schools and Tertiary Institutions”. Funded by the Global Development Fund (GDF), the $2 million initiative will deliver over 14,000 desks and chairs to schools and tertiary institutions nationwide, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to inclusive and quality education.
The unveiling ceremony took place at The View Hotel, located in the historic Freetown City Council Building on Wallace Johnson Street. The event was attended by senior Government officials, international development partners, diplomats, educators and students.
Delivering the keynote address, UNDP Resident Representative, Fredrick Ampiah, described the project as a milestone in the collective efforts to enhance educational access and quality in Sierra Leone. He highlighted that the project directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on Quality Education and supports the nation’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), especially under the Human Capital Development pillar.
“This project is a shining example of what partnerships for development can achieve,” Fredrick Ampiah said. “It’s not just about furniture; it’s about transforming learning environment and investing in Sierra Leone’s future.”
He emphasized that although initiatives like the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) program have significantly boosted school enrolment, by over one million between 2019 and 2023, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and limited learning resources persist. The China-funded project aims to bridge that gap by improving the physical learning conditions in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
“These desks and chairs are not mere donations,” he added. “They are building blocks for student success, symbols of dignity and crucial to unlocking the nation’s human capital.”
Fredrick Ampiah also outlined several ongoing UNDP initiatives designed to support skills development and educational advancement:
- The UniPod – Timbuktoo Innovation Hub at Fourah Bay College promotes tech entrepreneurship as part of a $1 billion Pan-African initiative aimed at supporting 1,000 tech startups over the next decade.
- Technical training programs for over 400 youth, particularly young women, in fields such as mechanical engineering, solar installation and construction.
- Curriculum development in partnership with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education for market-relevant skills training.
- Support for youth-focused MSMEs under the Growth Accelerator Programme, including STEM Garage in Bo and CIJ Digital Hub.
- Equipping dedicated skills centers for persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity across education sectors.
He concluded by expressing appreciation to the Chinese Government and the relevant Sierra Leonean Ministries for their ongoing collaboration. Fredrick Ampiah also called on other development partners to join in efforts to elevate education and youth empowerment in the country.
Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, underscored the symbolic importance of the initiative by recalling a story from ancient China about Confucius, who overcame poverty through education and discipline.
“This moment is about more than furniture,” Conrad Sackey said. “It’s about hope, dignity and the right of every child to learn in an environment that nurtures their potential.”
He reiterated the national significance of the donation, linking it to the Free Quality School Education program spearheaded by President Julius Maada Bio and the Big Five Game Changers, which prioritize Human Capital Development.
The Minister also reflected on the transformational power of a simple desk: “When a child sits on the floor, their dreams lie low. But when they sit upright at a desk, something changes. Their eyes meet the future. Their hands hold hope. Their mind begins to believe.”
He thanked China and UNDP for standing by Sierra Leone during times of global donor fatigue and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to using education as a pathway toward equality and national progress.
Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Wang Qing, emphasized that the initiative is part of China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI) launched by President Xi Jinping in 2021. The $2 million investment falls under the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and will deliver nearly 15,000 sets of desks and chairs across nine districts.
“This is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to Sierra Leone’s development, particularly in Human Capital and education,” Ambassador Wang Qing stated. “This is not just aid; it is a partnership rooted in trust and mutual growth.”
He confirmed that procurement and distribution plans are already in motion, with deliveries expected in batches over the next three to four months. Ambassador Wang Qing acknowledged the efforts of Sierra Leonean Ministries and the UNDP offices in both Beijing and Freetown for ensuring the smooth execution of the project.
He also highlighted China’s broader development cooperation in Sierra Leone. Recent collaborations with UNICEF led to the establishment of special baby care units that benefited over 600,000 pregnant women and newborns. Between 2020 and 2024, China and UNFPA partnered to build nine reproductive health centers that provided cervical cancer screening for more than 700,000 women and girls.
On the education front, he noted that the Chinese Government has awarded scholarships to around 20 Sierra Leonean students this year alone and over 500 students applied for MOFCOM training programs. “Education is the cornerstone of national development,” he said. “We are proud to support Sierra Leone’s journey toward a more prosperous future.”
Delivering the official launch statement, Presidential Adviser on Human Capital Development, Professor Alpha T. Wurie, brought a deeply personal perspective to the event. Reflecting on his own educational journey, he described beginning school in 1958 in a bamboo classroom with no furniture.
“We must remember that Sierra Leone has endured conflict, displacement and destruction. From 1991 to 2002, many of our schools were decimated,” he said. “Furniture was burned for firewood. Our institutions were scattered. Yet here we are today rebuilding, together.”
Professor Alpha T. Wurie praised President Bio’s bold leadership in prioritizing Free Quality Education, noting that this policy isn’t just about access but about equity. He highlighted historic firsts in inclusion, such as the introduction of Braille exams for blind students and interpreted public exams for the hearing-impaired.
“Even in the face of global economic pressures, Sierra Leone continues to invest in its children,” he declared. “That is a measure of true national commitment.”
He acknowledged China’s longstanding support, particularly during emergencies like the Ebola epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic. “From medical supplies to food aid, China has been a reliable partner,” he said. “Today, with this furniture donation, they send a powerful message; that every child, regardless of background, deserves a seat at the table of learning.”
Professor Alpha T. Wurie also mentioned recent investments in higher education institutions like Milton Margai and Eastern Technical Universities, affirming that Sierra Leone is making strides in expanding technical and university education to meet the demands of a modern economy.
The event closed with a strong call for continued collaboration. Stakeholders were unanimous in their belief that with shared vision, mutual respect and strategic investment, Sierra Leone can build an education system that leaves no child behind.
With over 14,000 desks and chairs soon to arrive in schools across the country, the China Education Project represents more than infrastructure it is a bold commitment to a generation of learners, dreamers and future leaders.
