By Ophaniel Gooding
Lilongwe, Malawi 22nd July 2026– Sierra Leone’s ambitious education reform agenda continues to attract international confidence, following a high‑level bilateral meeting between Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, and the Education Development Trust (EDT) during the Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX 2026) in Lilongwe.
The talks focused on accelerating reforms, strengthening implementation, and ensuring that ongoing initiatives deliver measurable results for learners nationwide. Minister Sackey reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s determination to complete key programmes despite challenges, stressing that reforms must deliver lasting improvements rather than simply meet project deadlines.
A central outcome was a shared commitment to deepen engagement with national stakeholders, including the Office of the Vice President and teacher unions, to build broad ownership of reforms. Discussions highlighted the transition towards performance‑oriented approaches that reward results and strengthen accountability across the education system.
Minister Sackey emphasized that reforms must translate into tangible classroom improvements, noting Sierra Leone’s ambition to move beyond policy formulation to an education system that delivers quality learning outcomes despite resource constraints. He also advocated for innovative financing and community participation, stressing that sustainable transformation requires governments, communities, and partners working together.
EDT welcomed Sierra Leone’s evidence‑based approach and reaffirmed its commitment to provide technical support for policy development, sector planning, and implementation. Delegates acknowledged that Sierra Leone’s reforms, anchored by President Julius Maada Bio’s Free Quality School Education initiative, have become a reference point for policy dialogue across Africa.
Minister Sackey’s engagement with EDT adds to a series of productive bilateral meetings held during FLEX 2026, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s reputation as a nation embracing innovation, forging meaningful partnerships, and pursuing bold reforms that place every child at the centre of national development.
