The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) announced the 2022/23 academic calendar in June 2022. Alongside the proclamations of December and Easter holidays, the Ministry stated the date for re-opening of schools for Monday 5 September 2022.

Schools and teachers have been preparing for their classrooms over most of August and school registrations are ongoing. Fresh paint has been applied at SOS in Lumley, amongst many other schools. New posters adorn the walls of the Murray Dean school in Aberdeen. And, the Freetown School for Girls compound is a sparkling clean expanse of grass and pathways.

Lucinda Kamara, who’s son will enter Primary One in Aberdeen, said, “We’re not really ready even though we have a schoolbag, lunchbox, and some stuff. But, the holidays went past very quickly.”
For many parents, the start of school often sneaks up on them. One day the children are playing, watching TV or just hanging around… and before they know it, it’s time for school again.

As schools prepare to resume for the 2022/2023 academic year on Monday, many parents have expressed concern at the high cost of school items.

Mohamed Sankoh, a civil servant said that school fees remained the same from the previous academic year, but prices of textbooks, writing materials, school bags and shoes had gone up.

Like many countries in Africa and World in general, Sierra Leone is also battling with inflation as the costs of living are expensive. “I am tempted to believe that the traders are taking undue advantage of the economic situation to exploit consumers,’’ Sankoh said.

Another parent, Mabinty Kamara, a trader and mother of four said that the cost of textbooks, bags and shoes are very high this year.

“Honestly, I’m not yet prepared to send my children to school on Monday. The reason for this is because school items are expensive this year and I am finding it difficult to buy new bags, books and shoes for my children,” she explained.

Traders in school items such as textbooks, school bags and stationeries, however, ruled out any form of profiteering, saying that the profit margin on books was quite minimal.

Osman Fofanah, a stationary seller on Garrison Street, said they are in the business just to barely survive as they are not making enough profit. “We are into the business to keep body and soul together, not that there is much gain in the business,” he said.

Assanatu Bangura sells apples for her auntie during the holidays and after school. She will enter Senior Secondary Two this year. She said, “The holidays weren’t really holidays because we, the children, have a lot of things to do. We have chores or selling to do to help our families. I’m not ready for school yet.”

As parents and guardians prepare to send children to school, 13-year-old Fatmata plies the streets with a collection of schoolbags. She said, “Sales are very slow. People don’t have money and they’re not buying new bags for school. It’s like nobody is getting ready.” Fatmata added she probably won’t start attending her JSS classes till the following week.