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The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Free Education Project Secretariat has officially handed over two newly constructed modern school buildings in Mafindor and Gbenekandor Chiefdoms in Kono District.
The projects were implemented with generous support from key development partners, including the World Bank, Irish Aid, European Union, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the Government of Sierra Leone.
The handing over ceremonies attracted a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, including the Permanent Secretary, the Free Quality Education Coordinator, the Deputy Director of Education for Kono District, other ministry officials, and members of the media.
The first event was held in Gbangbandor Town, Gbenekandor Chiefdom, where a three classroom building the first primary school in the community was handed over.
The facility includes toilets and water supply systems, ensuring a clean and conducive environment for learning. Local authorities, teachers, parents, youth, and pupils gathered in large numbers to celebrate the milestone. Community representatives expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government and its partners, pledging to use the facility for its intended purpose.
The delegation then moved to Kamiendor, Mafindor Chiefdom, for the second ceremony. In the presence of the Paramount Chief, a six-classroom building was handed over to serve as a community secondary school, significantly expanding access to education in the area.
Like in Gbangbandor, the people of Kamiendor also expressed appreciation and lauded the effort as a step toward brighter educational opportunities for their children.
Speaking at both ceremonies, the Coordinator of the Free Quality Education Project highlighted the primary goal of the initiative — to provide a comfortable and conducive learning environment for every child in Sierra Leone.
He further disclosed that Kono District is a major beneficiary of the ongoing school infrastructure support, noting the following key achievements in the district:
- Construction of 56 new classrooms
- Provision of furniture for schools
- Renovation of 56 existing schools
- Installation of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities
- Distribution of first aid kits when schools reopen
The events in Mafindor and Gbenekandor Chiefdoms serve as a powerful reminder of what collaborative efforts between the government and international partners can achieve in improving the lives of citizens through education.
