Founder of Girls Plus Organization Asmaa James has celebrated 25 brave girls with a letter to the Minister of Education Dr Moinina David Sengeh.

She wrote;

Dear Minister Sengeh,

James recalled In March 2020, the Government through your  the Ministry of Basic Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) overturned the ban on pregnant girls attending school in Sierra Leone. This in turn led to the development of two new policies, the Radical Inclusion Policy and the Comprehensive Safety Policy, for all children in the education system. The Radical Inclusion Policy allows girls who are pregnant to attend school for as long as they safely can and return after delivery.

He pointed out that same year, over 60 pregnant girls took national public exams. This inspired her to follow up on these girls. In October that year, her organization, Girls Plus in partnership with the MBSSE and with support from Plan International Sierra Leone, launched the “Another Chance Campaign”. This project specifically targeted 25 girls from 6 districts across the country that have fallen pregnant to establish a support system that will facilitate and increase their chances of returning to school after childbirth. We have been monitoring these girls throughout their pregnancies and providing them with support.

She further stated that ”Sir, to date, I am pleased to report to you that all the girls in Mano Dasse in Moyamba District, have safely delivered their babies and have continued their schooling.”

Last week, the Country Director of Plan, Evariste Sindayigaya, and his team, together with Girls Plus, visited the girls in Manor Dasse, so that the Director can hear first-hand about the challenges the girls face as they return to school. Access to family planning and a safe place for their children, while they are in school, were amongst the challenges they reported.

Her Girls Plus recognises that they cannot do this work alone and as a society, these girls need our support. They call on more individuals and groups who are motivated to create an inclusive learning system for pregnant girls.
To Plan International Sierra Leone, she thank them for supporting this project and for their willingness to continue to the next phase of this project. To the 25 girls in Manor Dasse, she celebrate your resilience and your determination to continue your education.

She concluding by thanking Minister David Sengeh,  for his leadership and and drive to promote girls’ education and ensure equal access to all.  ”Thank you for challenging us to think radical!”