By Sallieu S. Kanu
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) Secretariat have launched a nationwide verification exercise in preparation for the rollout of a $2 million education support project funded by China Aid, according to a statement which was published by UNDP.
The initiative aims to enhance educational facilities in selected public schools and chiefdoms across 10 districts, strengthening President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship Free Quality School Education initiative, a key component of the government’s Human Capital Development agenda.
Nationwide Assessment Underway
The verification exercise is being led by Augustine Moses Koroma, National Programme Coordinator at the FQSE Secretariat, and Madam Ndeye Aminata Diop from UNDP Sierra Leone. The team is visiting schools across the country to assess existing conditions and readiness for implementation.
The project, implemented by UNDP Sierra Leone on behalf of UNDP China, is being coordinated in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education.
Improving Learning Environments
According to Mr. Koroma, the initiative will provide 10,000 sets of classroom furniture, tables, and chairs to underserved schools nationwide.
“This is a practical step toward improving learning environments and ensuring quality education,” he stated. “It demonstrates the government’s and partners’ unwavering commitment to investing in our children’s future.”
Since its launch in August 2018, the FQSE initiative has significantly boosted school enrollment, provided essential teaching and learning materials, and gained both national and international recognition.
Strengthening Educational Access
The Improved Public Educational Service Facilities for Youth in Sierra Leone project is expected to accelerate the progress made under FQSE, improving access to better-equipped learning spaces and supporting thousands of students.
Officials anticipate that the verification exercise will help identify key infrastructural gaps and optimize resource distribution before full implementation.
With continued collaboration between UNDP, China Aid, and Sierra Leone’s education authorities, stakeholders remain confident that the project will play a crucial role in expanding educational opportunities across the country.