Potoru, Pujehun District, 17 October 2024 –  The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and UNFPA on 17 October participated in a ceremony in Potoru, Pujehun district, to celebrate the reintegration of 150 vulnerable girls into formal education. This year, over 3,000 girls have successfully returned to school in Sierra Leone, supported by a collaborative effort between MBSSE, UNFPA and Irish Aid.

In 2021, the Government of Sierra Leone launched the National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools to assist vulnerable girls to go back to school. In support of this policy, UNFPA has partnered with MBSSE to facilitate the reintegration of girls in four districts where child marriage and teenage pregnancy rates are particularly high — Kambia, Koinadugu, Moyamba, and Pujehun. With support from Irish Aid, the programme addresses barriers that prevent girls from accessing education, particularly those affected by pregnancy, poverty, and disabilities. To facilitate their return to school, the programme provides starter kits that include school uniforms, shoes, a school bag, sanitary pads and essential supplies. In addition, girls receive pre-reintegration classes focused on literacy, numeracy, and life skills, ensuring they are prepared for academic success.

Officially opening the event, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey emphasized that the National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools was crucial to ensuring that no girl is left behind, stating "we are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive educational system where every girl, regardless of her circumstances, has the opportunity to succeed. Whether they are young mothers, living with disabilities, or facing economic hardships, every girl deserves a chance to thrive in school and beyond", the Minister observed. He acknowledged the critical role of partnerships in making this possible. "We couldn’t do this alone. The support from UNFPA, Irish Aid, and other partners has been instrumental in turning this vision into reality,” he added

In her remarks, UNFPA Country Representative Nadia Rasheed expressed her excitement at seeing the girls return to school. "Today, we celebrate the return of these girls to school and the bright futures ahead of them," she said, adding that "education is a fundamental human right, and we must work collectively to ensure that every girl has the chance to learn and succeed." She emphasized the broader impact of girls' education stating that “when girls can complete their education, the benefit is not just for you. The benefit is for your children, your family, your community, and the entire nation.’’ She commended the government's commitment to ensuring quality education for all, and strengthening partnerships like this one to achieve educational equity.

Among the girls who were reintegrated was 14-year-old Jebbeh Rogers, who shared her story of returning to school after dropping out at 12 when her father died. "I was heartbroken. I didn’t want to stop going to school. Every morning, I would watch my friends put on their uniforms and head to class, and it broke my heart. I wanted to be like them. Now that I’m back, I’m excited to become a nurse and help others in need."

Also speaking at the ceremony in Potoru were Regent Chief Emmanuel E. Mustapha, Mammy Queen Haja Hawa Lahai, and various community and educational stakeholders. The more than 3,000 girls returning to school in 2024, join a cohort of nearly 3000 girls who were reintegrated across schools in 18 chiefdoms in Kambia, Koinadugu, Moyamba, and Pujehun in 2022 and 2023. This year, the programme has expanded its reach to 27 chiefdoms in these districts.