By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Lumley, Sierra Leone — July 4, 2025: In a major step toward inclusive and equitable education, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) convened a landmark National Seminar on Inclusive Education on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the Lumley Hotel. The gathering brought together a diverse coalition of government representatives, civil society, development partners, and education stakeholders—all united in the effort to ensure that every child in Sierra Leone can learn and thrive.
Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), the seminar provided a national platform to assess critical gaps in the education system, highlight successful practices, and forge strategic solutions to build an inclusive learning environment for marginalized children.
“Inclusive education is not a separate or parallel system. It is the foundation of an equitable, resilient education system that leaves no child behind,” stated Liv Elin Indreiten, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Sierra Leone. She emphasized the importance of actionable change and reaffirmed UNICEF’s dedication to fostering a system where all children—regardless of disability, gender, or background—can access quality learning.
While acknowledging progress achieved through initiatives like the Free Quality School Education program, the Radical Inclusion Policy, and the Comprehensive School Safety Policy, Indreiten highlighted ongoing challenges:
– Only 25% of children aged 3–4 enrolled in pre-primary education
– 22% of primary-aged children out of school, disproportionately girls in rural areas
– Just 3 in 10 Grade 4 students able to read and comprehend grade-level text
– 38% of teachers untrained in inclusive or gender-responsive methods
– Limited access to disability-friendly infrastructure and gender-sensitive sanitation
During the seminar, stakeholders examined systemic barriers, shared successful models, and identified priority actions that involve families, communities, and policymakers in building a truly inclusive education system.
The event marked the official launch of UNICEF’s new Inclusive Education Strategy for Sierra Leone and a policy brief developed jointly with MBSSE and other national actors—offering evidence-based frameworks to improve planning, classroom practices, and community involvement.
Ann Konneh, Deputy Director of Gender at MBSSE, reaffirmed government commitment to the Radical Inclusion Policy and acknowledged recent advances, including targeted funding for children with special needs. She urged continued efforts to ensure learning outcomes, school retention, and post-graduation support for students with disabilities.
Key presentations included “Strengthening Disability Assessment and Determination in Sierra Leone” by UNICEF’s Chief of Social Policy, Mona Korsgard, and a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Mohamed Jalloh, MBSSE’s Deputy Director of Special Needs, titled “Beyond the Classroom: Mobilizing Families, Communities, and Policymakers for Inclusive Education.”
The seminar reflects UNICEF’s steadfast support for Sierra Leone’s drive to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4—ensuring inclusive, equitable, and quality education with lifelong learning opportunities for all.