As the fifth week of the national school term begins on Monday, October 6, 2025, parents and caregivers of students at the Bo Government Secondary School are growing increasingly anxious over the prolonged closure of the institution.

While schools across Sierra Leone reopened weeks ago, Bo School remains shut due to ongoing rehabilitation and construction works, leaving families frustrated and concerned about their children’s academic futures.

A parents and teachers meeting convened at the Bo School campus on Saturday, October 4 drew a large crowd eager to address the delays.

Attendees discussed the stark contrast between Bo School’s stagnation and the progress in teaching and learning at other institutions nationwide.

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Principal Reverend Hassan Kainesie led participants on a tour of the campus to showcase the physical improvements underway, emphasizing the need for these upgrades to ensure a safe and modern learning environment.

Despite the visible progress, many parents remained focused on the lost instructional time.

Particular concern were students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). “Time is far spent,’ one parent lamented during the meeting questioning the fate of these exam candidates as peer schools advance through the syllabus while Bo School has yet to resume classes.

The meeting featured open dialogue with parents offering numerous suggestions that were addressed amicably by school authorities.

A key highlight was the presence of contractor Albert Leigh from Hariss Construction and Engineering Services, invited by the school management committee to explain the holdups.

Leigh assured attendees of his commitment to delivering high-quality, timely work, noting that the project is an international contract.

He highlighted recent additions to the scope, including upgrades to electricity in dormitories, installation of proper toilet facilities-replacing outdated local waste disposal methods and the introduction of a water system.

These enhancements are timed to coincide with Bo School’s centennial celebration in 2026, aiming to revitalize the historic institution for future generations.

Board member Gassimu Mallah spoke on behalf of the Old Bo Boys Association (OBBA), praising the group’s unwavering financial and material support from members across Sierra Leone and the diaspora.

However, the challenges extend beyond Bo School, Similar neglect plagues two other government boarding schools in the Bo District: Jimmy Government Secondary School in Jimmy Bargbor and Koyeima Government Secondary School in Valunya Chiefdom.

Visits to these campuses revealed dire conditions, including dilapidated infrastructure, a lack of student bedding, and insufficient food supplies for dormitories.

Contractors tasked with food provision have struggled financially, with one anonymous supplier revealing in a telephone interview that they have accumulated debts from banks to fulfill obligations, yet payments from the Ministry of Finance remain outstanding.

Without food, bedding, or clear timelines for resolution, these schools have no definite reopening dates, exacerbating educational inequalities.

This systemic neglect has fueled the proliferation of private schools in Sierra Leone, as parents seek reliable alternatives to inconsistent government institutions.

Leigh appealed for patience from parents and the public, projecting completion by December 2025.

He reported that 85% of the work is done, with teams operating in shifts around the clock to meet the deadline.

We are committed to handing over a brand-new Bo School that will stand the test of time, he stated.

School authorities and community members are urging the Government of Sierra Leone and its partners to broader their focus beyond Bo School, advocating for equitable improvements in education quality across all institutions.

Elderly resident Ngor Joe Kallon called on alumni of neglected schools now in positions of governance and trust to rethink and give back to their alma maters without shame.

As the school calendar marches on, the unresolved delays underscore broader issues in Sierra Leone’s education sector, prompting calls for urgent intervention to prevent further setbacks for the nation’s youth.