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With schools across Sierra Leone preparing to reopen, concerns over the government’s commitment to its flagship Free Quality Education (FQE) initiative are once again in the spotlight.
Freetown Mayor, Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has urged the government to take urgent steps to address the challenges threatening the program’s sustainability.
Speaking against the backdrop of delays in the payment of school subsidies, the Mayor emphasized that the success of the Free Quality Education initiative depends on consistent financial support to schools.
She noted that in the last academic year, only one term of subsidies was disbursed, leaving a significant gap in service delivery and putting pressure on school administrations.
“We have become spectators, not supporters,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr remarked, stressing the need for the government to realign its spending priorities. She pointed out that while the FQE remains a landmark initiative, its effectiveness is undermined when essential funds are delayed. She further suggested that government could cut down on unnecessary expenditures, such as excessive travel costs, to ensure resources are redirected to critical sectors like education.
Her statement comes as the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) warns of possible strike action if outstanding subsidies from the previous school year are not settled before schools reopen. The looming strike threatens to disrupt the start of the new academic year and could further weaken public confidence in the FQE.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr reiterated her optimism that the program can succeed if the government demonstrates stronger commitment and consistency in its implementation.
She called on the relevant authorities to act swiftly to address the teachers’ concerns and safeguard the right of every child to free and quality education.
