By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has inspected ongoing primary school expansion projects in the Kasongha and Lokomasama chiefdoms of Port Loko District, as the government continues its efforts to expand access to quality education across the country.
The Vice President’s visit followed successful engagement and advocacy efforts that secured additional support from Marampa Mines for the projects. The mining company’s contribution is helping to accelerate construction and enhance the scope of facilities in both communities.
In Kasongha, the project includes the construction of nine modern classrooms. In Lokomasama, a six-classroom school building is under construction to address overcrowding and improve learning conditions for pupils. Once completed, both facilities are expected to provide a more conducive learning environment, with improved ventilation, adequate classroom space, and better educational infrastructure, eliminating the need for pupils to study under trees or in deteriorating structures.
Speaking during the inspection tour, Vice President Jalloh praised Marampa Mines for responding positively to the government’s call for stronger public-private partnerships in education. He noted that the company’s support demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing human capital development.
“These projects are aimed at improving access to quality education for our children in rural communities. Upon completion, these modern educational facilities will enhance the learning environment for pupils and strengthen educational opportunities in Kasongha and Lokomasama,” the Vice President said.
The school expansion projects form part of the broader human capital development agenda of President Julius Maada Bio’s administration. Since 2018, education has remained a central pillar of the government’s development strategy, supported by significant investments in free quality education, teacher training, and school infrastructure.
Vice President Jalloh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding educational infrastructure nationwide, emphasizing that every child, regardless of location, deserves access to a safe and supportive learning environment.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that children across the country have access to conducive learning facilities that prepare them for the future,” he stated.
He also called on community leaders, parents, and local authorities to take ownership of the facilities and help maintain them once construction is completed.
Education stakeholders in Port Loko welcomed the development, noting that the additional classrooms will help reduce overcrowding, improve learning outcomes, and potentially lower dropout rates. With Marampa Mines’ support complementing government funding, the projects are expected to be completed ahead of the next academic year.
The Vice President was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and district authorities during the inspection tour.