Post a comment
ChildFund Sierra Leone conducted a one-day Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) stakeholders meeting on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Country Lodge Hotel in Hill Station, Freetown.
The meeting aimed to review and validate the draft Terms of Reference (TOR) and proposed membership for the National SEL Technical Working Group, as part of efforts to integrate SEL into schools nationwide.
The SEL initiative is part of a three-year project designed to support the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in developing a national SEL Framework for Sierra Leone. This framework will guide the incorporation of SEL into the country’s educational system, focusing on improving students’ emotional and social skills.
In his opening remarks, ChildFund Sierra Leone’s Country Director, Victor Kamara, emphasized the importance of addressing the gap in SEL skills, which are crucial for children’s development.
He highlighted that SEL fosters growth, increases self-confidence, builds empathy, and enhances critical thinking among children. Kamara stressed that ChildFund is committed to ensuring that children acquire skills that previous generations did not have the opportunity to develop.
“We are committed to supporting initiatives that will protect children and ensure their emotional well-being. This SEL framework is one important step towards ensuring that children are better prepared to face challenges both in and outside of the classroom,” Kamara said.
Global Director of ChildFund, Janella Nelson, also addressed the gathering virtually, emphasizing the far-reaching benefits of SEL. She noted that SEL helps children reduce emotional stress, build social cohesion, and develop trust. Nelson explained that SEL enhances children’s readiness for school and future challenges, and urged stakeholders to collaborate in developing an SEL framework tailored to Sierra Leone’s unique needs.
“SEL in schools works for the greater good of children. It’s an opportunity for Sierra Leone to establish a framework that addresses emotional learning and helps children build important life skills,” Nelson added.
The meeting brought together education stakeholders from across the country to discuss the progress made so far in developing the SEL framework, the roles and responsibilities of the National Technical Working Group, and the schedule for future meetings. One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the joint review and validation of the draft TOR for the SEL Technical Working Group.
ChildFund’s Education Advisor, Bando Marah, encouraged teachers and caregivers to adopt practices such as morning meetings, which help children manage emotions, set positive goals, and build empathy. He also highlighted the importance of SEL competencies, including self-awareness, social awareness, responsible decision-making, self-management, and relationship skills.
Abdul Kamara, ChildFund’s Education Specialist, presented on the organization’s ongoing education programs and shared insights into the SEL Co-creation journey. This initiative seeks to tailor the SEL framework to local contexts while involving educators, students, and communities in its development.
Research presented during the meeting demonstrated the effectiveness of SEL, showing its positive impact on academic performance, emotional well-being, and long-term success. Key findings highlighted that students exposed to SEL curricula performed better academically, experienced reduced emotional stress, and built stronger social relationships.
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of SEL programs across Sierra Leone. This effort will help equip children with the skills needed to thrive both inside and outside the classroom, while fostering a culture of emotional intelligence and responsible decision-making.
