By: Saidu Jalloh
Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, officially launched three Early Childhood Development (ECD) Play Labs at Ola During Children’s Hospital, Connaught Hospital and Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Center of Excellence hospital, Lumley, in Sierra Leone. The ceremony, held at Ola During Children’s Hospital, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, UNICEF, hospital staff, and officials from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.
In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister Emily K. Gogra highlighted the importance of providing children with meaningful play opportunities. Assistant Director of the Early Childhood Development Unit, Madam Melody Martin, emphasized the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education in supporting children from birth to age eight.
UNICEF Country Director, Rudolf Schwenk, stressed the need for strong partnerships to establish similar facilities nationwide, describing play labs as foundational for universal early childhood education. He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to improving children’s well-being.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Bah and Matron Madam Kargbo expressed their gratitude for the initiative and pledged to maintain the new facilities.
In his keynote speech, Minister Conrad Sackey praised the Play Labs as a milestone in advancing Sierra Leone’s inclusive development agenda under President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership. He credited the initiative to the President’s “New Direction Agenda,” which prioritizes education, health, and social welfare. Minister Sackey emphasized that the Play Labs are designed to:
Help hospitalized children continue their education through access to books and learning tools.
Promote recovery and emotional well-being through play.
Provide therapeutic activities that alleviate anxiety and create a sense of normalcy during hospital stays.
The Play Labs, he said, symbolize the government’s dedication to innovation, compassion, and investing in children’s potential. This initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to health, education, and opportunities to thrive.
Minister Sackey also expressed gratitude to healthcare workers, the National ECD Steering Committee, and development partners for their role in making the initiative a reality. He concluded with a call for continued collective efforts to prioritize children’s needs, ensuring no child is left behind.
Through these efforts, Sierra Leone continues to position itself as a leader in human capital development, with children at the forefront of national progress.
