By Fatima Kpaka
Lilongwe, Malawi, July 14, 2026 – Sierra Leone’s Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Conrad Sackey, has highlighted the country’s strides in foundational learning reforms during his opening statement at the Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX 2026).
Addressing ministers and education leaders from across Africa, Sackey underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to evidence-based policies and stronger national education systems. He revealed that in 2025, the country completed comprehensive National Learning Assessments covering 371 pre-primary schools with 2,726 pupils, alongside more than 400 Primary Two schools across all 16 districts.
The findings, he explained, are already shaping Sierra Leone’s Education Sector Plan, informing curriculum reviews for foundational English, and serving as a baseline for measuring progress toward 2027. He further announced plans to transform the National Assessment Services Unit into an independent National Assessment Services Authority.
Calling on development partners, Sackey urged support for sustainable education systems through strengthened technical capacity and continuity in learning resources. He concluded by introducing Mr. Fomba, Head of Sierra Leone’s National Learning Assessment Services Unit, who presented the country’s assessment framework to participants.
Sierra Leone’s participation at FLEX 2026, Sackey noted, reflects the nation’s growing leadership in advancing foundational learning reforms across Africa.