The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr. Conrad Sackey, inaugurated 29 state-of-the-art Early Childhood Development Centers in Taiama, Moyamba District. The symbolic ceremony in Taiama marked the completion of 29 centers spread across Moyamba (9) and Karene (20) districts.
These newly constructed centers, which include amenities such as ram facilities, playgrounds, and tap water, were a collaborative effort supported by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the Open Society Initiatives for West Africa (OSIWA), and UNICEF. With this, the total number of Early Childhood Development centers in the country has reached 59, benefiting over 4,000 children.
In a bid to offer foundational learning to the 764,000 children nationwide, Minister Sackey reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to providing free, quality school education from Pre-Primary to Senior Secondary levels. He underscored this commitment by referencing Section 22.1 of the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act of 2023, emphasizing the critical role of preschool education in optimizing human capital and national development. Section 22.2 specifically outlines the government’s support for one year of free compulsory preschool education for children at the age of five. Minister Sackey also disclosed the government’s plan, as outlined in the 2024 fiscal budget, to recruit 2000 new teachers and reassess and promote 2500 more.
Accompanied by Deputy Minister 1, Madam Kadiatu Gogra, Chief Education Officer Professor Yatta Kanu, National Programme Coordinator GPE Mr. Emmanuel Alie, and other senior officials, Minister Sackey praised President Julius Maada Bio as the Global Champion of Foundational Learning. He highlighted the President’s exemplary leadership and emphasized that global funding for the education sector is a direct result of President Bio’s demonstrated commitment and clear roadmap to significantly reduce learning poverty in Sierra Leone by 2030.
During the event, Minister Sackey engaged in small group dialogues and bilateral discussions with parents, teachers, the Paramount Chief Representative, partners, and stakeholders, fostering a collaborative approach to further enhance the impact of the education initiatives in the region.
