The GPE grant, which was launched in Freetown on Wednesday, will be used to support efforts towards increasing equitable education and improve learning outcomes for boys and girls in the primary and pre-primary school levels. Over 120 pre-primary and primary classrooms will be constructed as part of the project.
Established in 2002, GPE is a multi-stakeholder partnership and a global fund that aims to strengthen education systems in developing countries to dramatically increase the number of children who are in school and learning. GPE works with 67 developing countries as well as donor governments, civil society, nongovernmental organizations, teacher organizations, international organizations, and the private sector and foundations.
Sierra Leone joined GPE in 2007, and since then the country has received and implemented two grants. This is the third grant, and it was formally launched by President Bio in the presence of the visiting CEO of GPE, Alice Albright. Ms Albright assured of GPE’s commitment to helping the Sierra Leone government achieve its goal with its “impressive” free education project. She said education was important in that it reduces poverty and improves on standard of living of a people.
“This investment will strengthen the foundation for learning by giving more three to five years access to primary education. It will improve learning outcomes in reading and writing…,” said Ms Albright.
The GPE grant launching also witnessed the commissioning of 14 Teaching Service Commission District Offices by President Bio who assured the GPE officials that his government would ensure that the right people benefited from the money.
“Let me assure not only of my government’s support but also of my personal support to this program,” he said, adding that the grant will help move Sierra Leone closer towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals relating to education.
The Free Quality Education program, launched in 2018, is a fulfillment of a campaign promise by Bio as an opposition presidential candidate.