By Millicent Senava Mannah
Despite the government allocating 22% of its national budget to education, parents in Sierra Leone still shoulder more than half of the total cost of educating their children. A 2020 report found that households cover 52% of education expenses, underscoring the need for broader community involvement in schools.
The National Partnership for Social Accountability (NPSA), a coalition of over 60 civil society organizations, NGOs, and INGOs, has launched an Education Position Paper and CSO Monitoring Report on the 25th July, 2025, geeared towards advocating for increased public investment and stronger community oversight of schools. This event was held at the New Brookfields Hotel, on Jomo Kenyatta Road in Freetown.
Supported by the European Union (EU), the coalition’s evidence-based report highlights how empowered School Management Committees (SMCs) and active citizen engagement improve school governance, financial transparency, and student outcomes.
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Conrad Sackey, delivered the keynote address at the launch of the Education Position Paper and CSO Monitoring Report, an event supported by the European Union and coordinated by the National Partnership for Social Accountability (NPSA).
In his remarks, the Minister emphasized the role of local communities in sustaining school oversight and educational reform.
“The community people should own the project,” he said firmly, calling for greater grassroots participation in education governance.
“It is the concern for every parent or community member to monitor the teachers,” he added.
He commended the efforts of the NPSA and implementing partners, thanking them for what he described as a bold and timely intervention that reflects the values of transparency, accountability, and inclusion.
“We as a ministry remain committed to ensuring quality education for every child in Sierra Leone. But this cannot happen in isolation. Schools do not exist in a vacuum, they are part of our communities, and those communities must feel empowered to take responsibility,” the Minister said.
In his call to action, the Minister encouraged School Management Committees, parents, and local leaders to use the report as a tool for engagement and reform. He reiterated the government’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with civil society and development partners to advance the free quality education agenda.
“Thank you to the organisations behind this project, and to the European Union for their continuous support to Sierra Leone’s education sector. This work must continue,” he concluded.
At the launch event, Mr. Ibrahim Kamara presented the report’s findings on behalf of the coalition. The data, collected from 200 schools across Falaba, Karene, Moyamba, Tonkolili, and Western Rural districts, shows that functional SMCs and community-led monitoring lead to better school improvement planning and resource management.
Kamara emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “When communities are equipped with the right knowledge and tools, they become powerful agents of accountability and change.”
He highlighted the power of evidence in advocacy, noting that the data-driven insights from the project not only prove that community engagement works, but also serve as a blueprint for national replication. He commended the efforts of implementing partners, the support of the European Union, and the involvement of School Management Committees across all project districts.
Mr. Hajie Bah, District Manager of the WARD EU Project and Coordinator of the Network Movement for Youth and Children’s Welfare, traced the origins of the 30-month initiative. The project was designed to address gaps in accountability, financial management, and community participation that have long hindered educational quality.
“Empowering local communities is key to improving education outcomes,” Bah said. He acknowledged the crucial support of the Ministry of Education, EU, local councils, and community leaders.
Mr. Alpha, Project Manager, detailed implementation challenges, including initial resistance from some school leaders and SMC members, limited infrastructure for menstrual hygiene, and difficulties accessing remote areas. He called for sustained training and support to maintain momentum.
Edmond Cole from the Institute for Governance Reform reaffirmed the coalition’s dedication to education and health reforms irrespective of funding availability.
“We are committed to driving positive change for children and communities, with or without external support,” Cole said.
A 2025 evaluation comparing project schools with control schools revealed significant gains:
72% of project schools had functional SMCs with meeting minutes, versus 59% in controls.
79% of project schools developed School Improvement Plans, up 27 points since baseline, compared to 52% of controls.
Integration of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) goals rose from 47% to 63% in project schools; only 24% in controls had WASH goals.
Achievement of WASH targets increased to 36% in project schools but remained about 18% in controls.
Financial transparency improved: 81% of project schools maintained cashbooks compared to 33% in controls.
Volunteer teacher retention improved from 75% to 83%, and PIN-coded teacher retention increased from 79% to 87%.
Student retention rose from 94% to 97%, benefiting about 1,300 additional children.
Menstruation-related absenteeism dropped from 60% to 36%, though nearly all schools lack sanitary products.
Honourable Conrad Sackey, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, urged communities to take ownership and monitor school activities.
“This project must be owned by the community,” Minister Sackey said. “It is the concern of every parent and community member to monitor teachers and ensure accountability.”
He commended the coalition and partners, including the EU, for their efforts in strengthening education governance.
The NPSA is now urging the government, donors, and education stakeholders to act on these findings. It recommends that SMCs be equipped with the necessary skills and tools to oversee school operations effectively. This includes ongoing training in financial management, attendance monitoring, procurement oversight, school infrastructure maintenance, and the creation and implementation of School Improvement Plans.
To improve monitoring and data use, the NPSA calls for the digitisation of School Improvement Plans (SIPs), which would enable real-time access, better alignment with national education goals, and more efficient resource allocation. The group also emphasises the importance of strengthening financial and logistics management. Every school, they argue, should maintain updated cashbooks and logistics books. The government and partners must invest in training and oversight to ensure these systems function effectively.
Another urgent call is for the government to provide sanitary pads and contraceptives in schools. This step is seen as crucial for reducing absenteeism among girls and promoting gender equity in education. The NPSA also recommends incorporating hygiene and sex education into the national curriculum to help break the stigma around menstruation and sexual health.
Lastly, the NPSA stresses the importance of reinforcing the role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and School Management Committees in monitoring school safety and quality. These structures are essential to ensuring compliance with the 2023 School Safety Policy and creating secure, inclusive learning environments.
Minister Sackey officially launched the Education Position Paper and CSO Monitoring Report, describing it as a critical resource that can guide policy, strengthen monitoring, and improve learning outcomes across the country.
The NPSA’s work highlights the transformative impact of community-led oversight in Sierra Leone’s education system. The coalition calls for continued investment and policy focus to ensure inclusive, quality education for all children.
