AYV News, September 24, 2024
The Sierra Leone Civil Rights Coalition has outlined a detailed review of the first week of the country’s schools reopened for the 2024/2025 academic year and proffers key recommendations to its findings.
National Coordinator, Civil Rights Coalition, Alphonso Manley said the Coalition’s assessment aimed to evaluate teacher and pupil turnout and the condition of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities across various schools.
He said the Coalition’s findings revealed a promising start with high attendance rates at schools like St. Edward Secondary School and St. Joseph Secondary School, where over 80% of pupils and teachers were present on the first day maintaining how that was a notable improvement from previous years.
Alphonso Manley, however, pointed out that challenges persisted at Government Secondary School Kingtom, Services Primary and Secondary Schools and St. Luke’s Primary and Secondary School, where pupils turnout were notably lower, particularly among examination classes.
He expressed the view that a major concern identified was the condition of WASH facilities underscoring that while some schools were well-prepared others, especially in less advantaged areas, struggled with shortages of water and inadequate sanitation facilities citing schools such as Services Primary and Secondary and St. Luke’s Primary and Secondary as among those facing such critical issues.
Mr. Manley said: “To address these challenges, we recommend the immediate supply of water to ensure a consistent and adequate supply of water to all schools and also the enhancement of WASH Facilities by upgrading and expanding WASH facilities in schools with identified deficiencies. The reopening period presents an opportunity to address longstanding issues in our schools. Our recommendations are intended to help create a safer and more equitable learning environment for all pupils”.
