These 393 Classrooms, 88 latrines and 10 wells have been constructed under the President’s Recovery Priorities for Education with funds provided by the UK Aid (also known as DFID). This construction has taken place in every district across Sierra Leone to improve children’s learning in the most overcrowded schools in the country.  It has benefitted over 71,000 children by providing classrooms, chairs, tables, toilets and easier access to water to enable children to focus on what is important, learning.

The initial 168 classrooms were delivered under the President’s Early Recovery Programme by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and constructed by World Vision.  The second phase of 225 classrooms, 10 wells and 88 latrines were delivered under the President’s Recovery Priorities for Education by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and constructed by World Vision, Catholic Relief Services and Street Child Sierra Leone. 

Dr. Minkailu Bah Officially commissioning the school buildings

The project is part of a much larger programme of reforms under the Presidential Recovery Priorities in Education to improve learning outcomes which has been led by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology with funds from UK Aid.  The reforms have included providing lesson plans to over 40,000 Language Arts and Maths teachers in Primary and Junior Secondary schools.  Mapping Schools and Verifying Teachers to develop a clean Information Management System for schools and teachers which will help identify and tackle resource gaps. Improving real time monitoring of the education system, and reducing unapproved schools. 

In his speech at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Minkailu Bah, Minister of Education, Science and Technology said, “for my ministry and its stakeholders in the education sector, this is a time of great challenge, responsibility and opportunities. We know that education has the power to change nations. It can help prevent poverty and social exclusion, ensure human and civic values are maintained and help tackle all forms of discrimination. Educated citizens have the necessary skills to succeed in the labour market. Children go to school to learn and to become productive leaders tomorrow. We must therefore provide them with the enabling and nurturing environment to learn. We are therefore delighted to commission the 393 classrooms constructed in all 14 districts across the country by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology with funds provided by the United Kingdom Government through the Department of International Development (DFID) UK Aid in partnership with World vision, CRS and Street Child and the local authorities.”

World Vision Sierra Leone’s National Director speaking on behalf of the consortium

In his speech at the commissioning ceremony, James N’kemba Chifwelu, National Director of World Vision Sierra Leone, stated that, “It is an honour for World Vision Sierra Leone on behalf of the ROISS consortium in partnership with CRS and Street Child to have collaborated with UKaid and the Sierra Leonean Government in this noble project that has contributed to improving the learning environment for approximately 71,000 children. We remain committed to doing whatever is possible for the best of children in partnership with UKaid and government of Sierra Leone.”

Speaking at the launch Sally Taylor, head of UK Aid in Sierra Leone, said ‘Today I am delighted to celebrate our continued successful partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to improve school infrastructure.  Together we have delivered an extraordinary 393 classrooms, 88 latrines and 10 wells during this recovery period. Coupled with other UK support for new lesson plans and teacher training, these classrooms will make a strong contribution towards improving the quality of education for girls and boys in Sierra Leone.’

Sally Taylor, DFID rep making a statement during the Commissioning

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