The National Youth Awareness Forum Sierra Leone, with the support from the Sierra Leone Education Innovation Challenge, conducted a district-level stakeholders’ advocacy engagement in Pujehun District.

The event focused on promoting quality education and addressing critical issues such as child abuse, rape, teenage pregnancy, and early marriage that hinder educational development in the district.

Executive Director Victor Lansana Koroma expressed his gratitude to the attendees, which included head teachers, members of mothers’ clubs, town chiefs, school management committee members, and key stakeholders in the education sector. He commended their commitment and willingness to prioritize the occasion despite their busy schedules.

The National Youth Awareness Forum has been actively working towards enhancing the quality of education since 2022, collaborating with 26 schools in their efforts. During their work, they identified various factors beyond education itself that affect pupils attention, such as child abuse, rape, and early marriage.

Recognizing the importance of addressing these issues to ensure quality education, the organization engaged stakeholders to gather recommendations on child protection measures.

Testimonies shared during the implementation of the projects shed light on the presence of numerous volunteer teachers in schools. Unfortunately, due to delays in receiving subsidies, some of these teachers are unable to invest significant efforts in delivering quality education. This highlights the urgent need for timely disbursement of subsidies to support these dedicated educators in their roles.

Momoh Gbapewa, the town chief of Kalu town YKK Chiefdom Momoh Gbapewa, described the engagement as a blessing in disguise. He confessed that the headmaster of his school consistently consults him on various developments and challenges, emphasizing the importance of continuous communication and collaboration between school administrators and community leaders.

Musa Rogers, the Head Master of PDC School Komendeh Sowa, shared the challenges faced by schools in the district. He revealed that out of five teachers in some schools, only the head teacher is on the payroll. This situation hampers the smooth functioning of the schools, particularly in terms of providing adequate attention to pupils’ needs. Rogers appealed to all stakeholders, especially the Teaching Service Commission, to expedite the approval of additional teachers.

This would help alleviate the burden on head teachers and ensure a better learning environment for pupils in their respective communities. The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders are crucial in ensuring that every child in Sierra Leone receives the quality education they deserve.