By Aminata Sesay
The Government of Sierra Leone has announced plans to return approximately 120,000 out-of-school children to the classroom as part of renewed efforts to expand access to education under the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) programme.
The Deputy Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Madam Emily Gogra, disclosed the initiative during the closing ceremony of the Education for Every Child Today (EEFECT) project, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown on Friday, 26 June 2026.
Speaking on the theme “No Child Left Behind: Government Leadership in Ending the Out-of-School Challenge in Sierra Leone,” Madam Gogra said the initiative reflects government’s commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to quality education.
She explained that the Out-of-School Children (OOSC) programme, implemented in partnership with key stakeholders, will focus on identifying, enrolling, and supporting children who are currently excluded from the education system.
“This initiative is not only about numbers; it is about reaching children whose dreams have been interrupted by poverty, distance, and inequality,” the Deputy Minister stated.
According to her, about two in every ten children in Sierra Leone are currently out of school, a situation she described as both an education challenge and a national development concern.
Madam Gogra noted that several factors contribute to school exclusion, including economic hardship, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, disability-related barriers, and limited access to schools, particularly in rural communities.
She highlighted that the EEFECT project has demonstrated the importance of combining education support with social protection and economic interventions to create lasting solutions for vulnerable children.
The Deputy Minister further linked the reintegration programme to the achievements of the FQSE initiative, introduced in 2018 to remove financial barriers preventing children from accessing education.
She said the programme has contributed to increased school enrolment, recruitment of more teachers, expansion of learning facilities, provision of school feeding support, and the implementation of the Radical Inclusion Policy, which ensures that no child is denied education due to gender, disability, or personal circumstances.
Under the new OOSC programme, Madam Gogra said the ministry will conduct nationwide child identification exercises, provide learning materials, strengthen community engagement, support teacher training, and prioritize girls, children with disabilities, and those living in underserved communities.
She emphasized that the success of the initiative will depend on strong partnerships, reliable data, and sustained investment.
“Leadership means using data, partnerships, and investment to ensure that no child remains invisible,” she said.
The government’s latest move forms part of broader efforts to achieve inclusive and equitable education for all children across Sierra Leone.