Is Sierra Leone’s Education Really the 3rd Best In The World?

Sierra Leone’s Education system is not rated third best in the world, contrary to recent publication by the ruling party’s, Unity Newspaper.

Shortly after being elected as president of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio launched his Free Quality Education programme for 1.5 million primary and secondary school children, and fulfilling one of his key election pledges.

“I promised free education during the election and I’m here to implement it,” Bio said during an official launch ceremony.

Since 2018, the Bio-led government has spent billions of Leones in ensuring the country restores its lost glory in the academic arena. In doing so, president Bio has received lot of plaudits and commendation from the international community. However, critics at home are saying that there is nothing to write home about Sierra Leone’s eductaion, despite the enormous capital invested in the Free Quality Education program.

Meanwhile, on 12 December 2022, Unity newspaper published a banner headline, stating that; “Despite Opposition Distractions… Bio’s Education System Rated 3rd In The World.”

However, the annual Best Countries Report, conducted by US News and World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, which reserves an entire section for education ranks the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany as the top three countries with the best education in the world.

The report surveys thousands of people across 78 countries, then ranks those countries based upon the survey’s responses. The education portion of the survey compiles scores from three equally-weighted attributes: a well-developed public education system, would consider attending university there, and provides top-quality education.

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As of 2022, the top ten countries based on education rankings are:

1. The United States
2. The United Kingdom
3. Germany
4. Canada
5. France
6. Switzerland
7. Japan
8. Australia
9. Sweden
10. The Netherlands