Free Quality School Education Remains Flagship Program of President Bio’s Government

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education has issued a rebuttal to rumors that the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) program has ceased to be the flagship program of the President Bio-led government.

The rebuttal, which was signed by the National Programme Coordinator, Augustine Moses Tehguhma Koroma, clarified that the FQSE program is still a flagship project of the government and that the government remains unwavering in its commitment to fully supporting the scheme.

The ministry urged the public to disregard rumors circulating on social media suggesting that the FQSE program has ceased to be a flagship project and that it no longer attracts the budgetary allocations and support it used to get.

The ministry also sternly warned school authorities across the country against the act of demanding or taking monies from parents or guardians for admission or enrollment of their children or wards. They urged parents and guardians to consider requests for payment of fees from school authorities as acts of extortion and to report such cases to the ministry or the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).

The FQSE program was launched in 2018 and provides free admission and tuition to all children in government-approved schools. It is one of the flagship programs of the President Bio government and has been credited with increasing school enrollment and reducing the financial burden on parents.