On the 29th of February, 2024, a momentous event unfolded in Bendukoro Town, Diang Chiefdom, Koinadugu District, as key stakeholders gathered to celebrate the official inauguration of a refurbished school block along with essential facilities. This initiative, spearheaded by the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) through the McGovern-Dole Food For Education Program, marks a significant stride in bolstering educational infrastructure in the region.
Distinguished personalities including Eric Massally, Director of NGO Affairs, alongside the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, the USAID Country Representative, and CRS officials, graced the occasion, highlighting the collaborative efforts aimed at fostering educational development.
Director Massally emphasized the indispensable role of education in community progress, accentuating the importance of partnerships between NGOs, governmental bodies, and local stakeholders. He lauded the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education for its guidance in educational initiatives and elucidated on the “big five game changers” outlined in the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030). These game changers encompass Feed Sierra Leone, Human Capital Development, Infrastructure and Technology, Job Creation, and Economic Revamping.
Furthermore, Massally reiterated the paramountcy of food self-sufficiency in empowering farmers and the private sector, applauding CRS for its support in policy development, notably the home-grown food policy. He emphasized the necessity for continued collaboration to advance free quality education and underscored the principle of localization in implementing initiatives, stressing effective resource utilization and community empowerment.
Gratitude was extended to the United States Department for Agriculture (USDA) for their assistance, with a call for ongoing support, particularly for the people of Sierra Leone, especially in the Koinadugu District.
The ceremony concluded on an optimistic note as attendees explored the upgraded facilities, symbolizing a promising future for education in Diang Chiefdom.
