The Government of Sierra Leone Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Education Sector Plan 2014-2018 “Learning to Succeed” Final: September 2013 Minister’s Message: t is with great pride that the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Education, Science I and Technology present the Education Section Plan. This document lays out our beliefs, strategies and aspirations for the most vital sector in the nation. We have come far and done much to erase the damage and negative perception of our country over the last 11 years. The proceeding document – albeit honest – is hopeful in its intent to enhance education in Sierra Leone to ensure our ardent Minister Minkailu Bah Credit: Sierraexpressmedia.com desire for our people to prosper as able-minded global citizens, as well as economically. I have no doubt that we will achieve and even surpass our goals. Our intent and expectations are fully aligned with our supportive partners and stakeholders and our economy is growing at a record pace. This is an unprecedented time in the history of Sierra Leone, as we embark on a path toward everlasting peace and prosperity. We, the ministry and the Government, submit our plan and vision for the future of education in Sierra Leone. Learning is a life long commitment. Over the next five years we have outlined the way our children and adults will learn – learn to succeed. Dr. Minkailu Bah Minister of Education, Science and Technology Education Sector Plan 2014 – 2018 – Learning to Succeed 2 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations used in this document ...................................................... 5 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Background and context ......................................................................................................................... 8 Sierra Leone and its Education System .............................................................................................. 8 Table 1.1: School-Age Population Projections, 2010-2025 .................................................................. 9 Moving Forward: Strides made since the 2007-2015 Education Sector Plan ...................... 9 Analysis of the Education Sector ........................................................................................................ 10 Girls in School- Gender Disparities: .................................................................................................. 11 Chart 1.1: Ratio of girls-to-boys enrolment levels, by grade level and district ......................... 12 Table 1.2: Senior Secondary School Enrolment; year-over-year % increase ............................. 12 Source: Sierra Leone School Census Report Vol.2, 2012 .................................................................... 12 Lessons learned: The previous ESP ................................................................................................... 13 Chart 1.3: The previous ESP – Targets and results at the JSS level ................................................ 13 Challenges of the previous ESP ........................................................................................................... 14 Understanding the 2013-2018 Education Sector Plan ............................................................... 14 Developing the ESP – Participants ..................................................................................................... 15 Consultations ............................................................................................................................................. 16 Table 1.3: Targets and Results of the previous ESP .............................................................................. 17 Chapter I: Access, Equity & Completion ................................................................................ 20 Access ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 Equity ........................................................................................................................................................... 20 Completion ................................................................................................................................................. 21 Challenges in Access, Equity and Completion ................................................................................ 21 Strategic Objectives and Interventions ............................................................................................ 22 Table 2.1- S.O. 1.1 Outcome Indicators- PCR ........................................................................................... 23 Table 2.2: S.O. 1.2 Outcome Indicators- Pre-primary GER ................................................................. 25 Table 2.3: S.O. 1.3 Outcome Indicators- JSS GER, GPI ........................................................................... 26 Table 2.4: S.O. 1.4 Outcome Indicators- SSS transition, GER, GPI ................................................... 27 Table 2.5: S.O. 1.6 Outcome Indicators- Higher Education ................................................................ 29 Table 2.6: S.O. 1.7 Outcome Indicators- Adult literacy rate ............................................................... 30 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 31 Chapter II: Quality & Relevance ............................................................................................... 32 Quality and Relevance Issues .............................................................................................................. 32 Priorities from Consultations .............................................................................................................. 33 Table 3.1: S.O. 2.1 Indicators – Learning Environment ....................................................................... 33 Table 3.2: Intervention 2.1b outputs- new desks & chairs ................................................................ 34 Table 3.3: Intervention 2.1c output-new wells and hand pumps ................................................... 34 Table 3.4: Intervention 2.1d output – new school toilets ................................................................... 35 Table 3.5: Intervention 2.1e Output- new learning materials .......................................................... 35 Table 3.6: Intervention 2.1f output indicator – new wall posters, etc .......................................... 35 Table 3.7: Intervention 2.1g output indicator- new core textbooks .............................................. 36 Table 3.8: S.O. 2.2 outcome indicator- Curricula and Assessment ................................................. 37 Table 3.9: S.O. 2.3 outcome indicator- reading at grade level .......................................................... 37 Table 3.10: S.O. 2.4 outcome indicators – quality teachers ............................................................... 39 Table 3.11: S.O. 2.5 outcome indicator- teacher deployment ........................................................... 40 Education Sector Plan 2014 – 2018 – Learning to Succeed 3 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 42 Chapter III: System Strengthening .......................................................................................... 43 Governance and Management Issues ............................................................................................... 43 Overlap and ambiguity in existing education policy and legislation ...................................... 44 Strategic Objectives and Interventions ............................................................................................ 45 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 50 Chapter IV: Monitoring the ESP ................................................................................................ 51 Implementation ........................................................................................................................................ 51 The Monitoring and Reporting Chain ............................................................................................... 51 Monitoring Framework ......................................................................................................................... 52 Table 4.1: Monitoring Framework Matrix ................................................................................................ 53 Risks ............................................................................................................................................................. 59 Table 4.2: Risk factors of ESP implementation ....................................................................................... 59 Chapter V: Costing the ESP ......................................................................................................... 60 Economic Environment: .......................................................................................................................