Sierra Leone’s New Education Act passed into law by Parliament on Monday 24th April, 2023  with amendment titled “The Basic & Senior Secondary Education Act 2023” bans all forms of Corporal Punishments in schools.

In his statement, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Dr. Moinina David Sengeh thanked parliament for the continuous support in ensuring that the Bill becomes an Act and also thanked them for the role they have played in Sierra Leone’s education transformation drive which has been a remarkable one.

He highlighted the gains made by Sierra Leone in providing leadership in world’s education and thanked the President Julius Maada Bio for believing in Education.

Hon. Mohamed B. Shaw, the Chairman of Basic Education Committee in Sierra Leone’s Parliament During previous Sittings and at the Committee of the Whole House, presented the Bill to the house for effective scrutiny and certain amendments to be adopted by Parliament before the passage of the Bill into law.

Some highlights in the new Act include refusing to send your child to school is now punishable by law, a pupil shall have a National Identification Number provided by the National Civil. To which NCRA has got an applaudable record. All Pregnant girls, parent learners, children from the poorest homes, rural areas and underserved communities shall be encouraged to access, stay in, complete school and enjoy all the facilities provided in the in the educational system as was underscored by Augustine Sankoh, Strategic Communications Analyst MBSSE