By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The 2021 Annual School Census (ASC) has indicated that schools in Sierra Leone have increased by 13 percent from ten thousand, seven hundred and forty-seven (10,747) schools in 2018 to twelve thousand, one hundred and sixty-eight (12,168) schools in 20221.
This result was disclosed by the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), Dr. Moinina David Sengeh during the ASC Report launch on Wednesday 24th August 2022 at the Ministry’s Conference Hall, New England Ville Freetown.
While launching the Report, the Minister said, he regarded it as something he always looks forward to, especially as Chief Innovation Officer.
He pointed out access, equity, and completion of schools to be the prime metrics of the government in the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) program, noting that they need more variables to monitor and track them. He said the government’s objective is to increase the number of children getting access to school irrespective of location, disability, economic status, cultural practice, etc.
Dr. Sengeh highlighted that they have built and refurbished schools, and provided teaching and learning materials and furniture in most public schools in the country. He added that they have also supported school feeding in pre-primary and primary schools in 14 districts, paid fees/subsidies to schools, and have also paid for examination fees for all public exams to the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
He mentioned that Government has developed and approved the radical inclusion policy to give access to all including pregnant schoolgirls and children with disabilities to quality education.
World Bank Senior Education Specialist, Mari Shojo stated that Sierra Leone is the only country in Africa to have digitized the Annual School Census. She commended the Education Ministry for such an initiative.
Shojo reaffirmed that the World Bank will continue to support data collection which she said was due to the fact that the census shows a mapping of where schools are located and their challenges. She noted that the data is very important for local partners and it can be utilized globally.
The Director of Policy and Planning, Adama Momoh said the ASC report gives an analysis and interpretation to inform national understanding of trends in school development and enrolment growth, numeracy, retention, literacy, transition, and multi-level performance.
She explained that the census is conducted in collaboration with professional and technical institutions which she said have proven capacities to handle large-scale data collection and processing. She reiterated that Statistics Sierra Leone, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Local Councils, Teaching Service Commission (TSC), and Civil Society Organizations played key roles in the data collection process to ensure credibility in the data production.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Professor Yatta Kanu regarded the ASC report as one of the most important documents coming from the ministry, which she described as the most referenced document by MBSSE partners.
She said the report is very good for a ministry that prides itself on radical inclusion and commended the team for putting together the document.
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education aims at providing opportunities for children and adults to acquire knowledge and skills, as well as nurture good values and attitudes for economic growth.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (26/08/22)
