The Government's Commitment to Free Quality School Education in Sierra Leone: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Directions

Abstract

The 1960 UNESCO Resolution and the 1990 World Declaration on Education for All call for action to ensure equality in education and non-discrimination in access to learning opportunities for under-served groups. These documents have influenced national laws and policies worldwide, including the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which mandates the Government to guarantee equal educational opportunities for all citizens. The Government of Sierra Leone prioritizes education as a critical driver for national development through its Free Quality School Education (FQSE) policy. This paper examines the Government's efforts to implement FQSE across the country. It provides a historical overview of education in Sierra Leone, explores educational system changes, and evaluates education policies over the years. The paper assesses the accessibility and enrollment of school-going children and analyzes the education sector's problems and challenges. The research methods include questionnaires, interviews, observations, discussions, and secondary data from the internet and books. The data will be analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, with recommendations to improve and strengthen education policies.