Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh has said that the Bio-led government is continuing to improve the quality of education in Sierra Leone, even as challenges remain with exams, teacher payments, and school funding.
Speaking during an interview on an online TV platform, Sengeh explained that the government is still working to strengthen its Free Quality Education program. He said the quality of education has improved in recent years, noting that exam malpractice, which was much higher four to five years ago, has decreased. While he acknowledged malpractice has not been eliminated, he said it is now happening less frequently.
On the issue of students missing public exams, Sengeh explained that the portal used by schools to submit Continuous Assessment Scores (CAS) is open, but some schools delay submission until it is too late. As a result, some students are left out. He said those left out make up less than five percent of students, but in many cases, they are affected due to serious personal or school-level problems.
Speaking on teacher subsidies and school funds, Sengeh admitted that delays have occurred. He said the government is still in talks with the Ministry of Finance to ensure schools receive their subsidies on time. He added that the goal is to eventually build a system where funds are ready at the start of each school year.
Sengeh also pointed to areas where progress has been made. He said more than 20,000 teachers have received training, school emergency kits have been distributed, and school feeding programs are active in several communities. In addition, over 1,500 classrooms have been constructed and furnished, and many schools have now transitioned to operating on a one-shift basis.
Now in its seventh year, the Bio government continues to face public attention on the Free Quality Education program, which has been a major focus since the beginning of the administration. Chief Minister Sengeh described it as a long-term goal that remains central to the government’s efforts. According to him, the government is not yet where it wants to be, but believes it is moving in the right direction.
With questions still being raised about the “quality” promised in the Free Quality Education program, Chief Minister Sengeh maintains that improvements are ongoing. He said the government remains committed to addressing the existing gaps in the system while building on the progress already made in the education sector.
It will be interesting to know how the FQE is funded. Is there any place one can find the ACTUAL annual cost ($ or NLE) of the FQE? The source(s) of funding? And what is the viability of these sources? This govt. seems to be floating in a balloon which will one day burst in their faces.