Today marks the 38th anniversary of the African Human Rights Day (AHRD), a day set aside by the African Union (AU) to celebrate the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which came into effect in 1986.

Sierra Leone, having ratified the Charter on September 21, 1983, joined other AU member states in reflecting on human rights achievements and challenges.

This year’s theme, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa,” aligns closely with Sierra Leone’s ongoing Free Quality School Education (FQSE) initiative, launched in 2018. The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) emphasized that the national education agenda aims to ensure equitable access to quality education for all citizens, supporting the development of human capital and alleviating poverty.

The African Charter, under Article 17, underscores the right to education, promoting the holistic development of individuals. HRCSL praised the government’s commitment to education, citing the allocation of 22% of the national budget to the sector and the adoption of progressive policies like the Radical Inclusion policy, which ensures access to education for all, including pregnant girls and persons with disabilities (PwDs).

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However, HRCSL also highlighted ongoing challenges with the implementation of the FQSE program, including insufficient teaching materials and delays in subsidy payments to schools. The Commission urged the government to address these issues and called for improvements in teachers’ working conditions, including salary increases, to further strengthen the education system.

HRCSL reiterated its commitment to protecting and promoting human rights in Sierra Leone and urged citizens to support policies that ensure the right to quality education for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or political affiliation.