By: Aminata Sesay
As part of efforts to expand access to quality education, four newly established schools comprising a total of 16 classrooms have been commissioned in Moyamba District under President Julius Maada Bio’s Free Education Initiative.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) through the Free Education Secretariat Project (FESP), is part of a broader national agenda to strengthen foundational learning and improve educational access, especially in underserved communities.
During the commissioning ceremony of the Seventh-Day Adventist Primary School in Coromboya, Kayamba Chiefdom, FESP Project Coordinator Ambrose Sesay emphasized the significance of this initiative. He highlighted that the newly constructed school includes four fully furnished classrooms, designed to accommodate approximately 108 students.
Moyamba District, like others across the country, received 16 of the 367 classrooms built nationwide under this ambitious education program.
“President Bio’s commitment to education is more than just an investment,” said Sesay. “It is a transformative effort to increase school enrollment and foster long-term educational development.”
Describing education as a journey through “yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” Sesay stressed the importance of foundational learning in improving Sierra Leone’s literacy rates and educational outcomes.
“For most Sierra Leoneans, with this foundation in place, tomorrow is still better than yesterday,” he added, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the initiative and the role of an educated population in national development.
Sesay also encouraged local ownership and community responsibility for the maintenance and proper use of the schools.
“This school serves not just the present generation but generations to come. Let us protect it as we would our own homes,” he urged.
A key focus of the initiative is ensuring that every child, including those currently out of school, gains access to quality education. Sesay highlighted the special attention being given to girl-child education, identifying girls as particularly vulnerable and in need of stronger support.
“We are creating opportunities for children to gain knowledge that will empower them to contribute to their communities and the nation. Education remains the best tool to eliminate poverty and ignorance,” Sesay stated.
Foday Brima, speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief of Kayamba Chiefdom, expressed gratitude to the Ministry and FESP for their investment in the community.
“Many parents are eager to enroll their children. We will ensure the school is used for its intended purpose,” he affirmed.
Francis Amara, Chairman of the Community Teachers Association (CTA), described the initiative as a laudable endeavor.
“I am overwhelmed beyond words. We must send our children to school so this structure does not become a building without life,” he said, calling for government support in recruiting qualified teachers for the school.
Francis Kemoh, the substantive head teacher of the new school, praised the government’s commitment, noting that education is becoming more attractive to pupils.
“This initiative is not just about building structures; it’s about creating a conducive environment for learning, equipped with the right resources,” he remarked.
As Moyamba District celebrates this important development, the establishment of these four new schools marks a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing journey to provide accessible and quality education for all.