President Julius Maada Bio has officially broken ground for the rehabilitation and extension of Bo Government Secondary School, a key component of a $65 million initiative aimed at decongesting classrooms and modernizing educational infrastructure across Sierra Leone. Funded by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) alongside contributions from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), OPEC Fund, and the Saudi Fund, the project aligns with President Bio’s commitment to human capital development through Free Quality Education.

The project extends beyond Bo Government Secondary School, covering the rehabilitation and expansion of several other institutions, including Government Secondary School Magburaka, Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), Eastern Technical University (ETU), Government Secondary School Kenema, Prince of Wales Secondary School, and office buildings for both the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE).

President Bio expressed his gratitude to the donors and emphasized the importance of quality workmanship. “More pupils are now in school as a result of the free quality education. So, this project will decongest the classrooms,” he stated. He warned the contractors to ensure high standards, noting, “I am the foreman supervisor for this project; therefore, I admonish the contractor to do very quality work.”

The project at Bo School includes the construction of a two-storey building with 15 classrooms, office spaces, dormitories, and other essential facilities. Additionally, the installation of internet and solar power will be part of the modernization efforts.

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, called on parents to support their children’s education, while the school’s principal, Edward Kpaka, detailed the extensive benefits the school will gain from the project. Paramount Chief of Kakua Chiefdom, Lappia Boima, also lauded President Bio’s leadership on the international stage, particularly his advocacy for Africa’s representation at the United Nations Security Council.