AYV News, September 15, 2023

In observance of the Fourth International Day to Protect Education from Attack, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has held a high-level engagement in New York by joining the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

President Bio said: “Today, I joined the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bin Nasser, Chairperson of EAA Foundation, victims of attacks on education, and other key stakeholders as the Keynote Speaker at the High-level Observance of the Fourth International Day to Protect Education from Attack.

“It was the opportunity to share insights on the attack on education caused by the regrettable decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone and the positive strides we’ve made to protect education and get “Justice for Victims”. “I highlighted the crucial role of education in nation-building and resilience and urged the global community to unite, protect, and prioritise education for every child, especially in conflict zones. My government continues to pursue universal access to education in a safe environment as a fundamental human right.

“Our data-driven policies and actions on education and radical inclusion have continued to gain global traction, and we will redouble efforts towards building our human capital base through our Free Quality School Education Programme”.

Present at the meeting also was Her Highness Sheikha Moza bin Nasser from the State of Qatar, and other key stakeholders.

As a Champion for universal access to quality education and radical inclusion, His Excellency presented a statement highlighting the Government’s policy actions and data-guided efforts towards addressing restrictive policies and actions which had hitherto opened education to attack and hindered progress in the critical sector in Sierra Leone.

The event is organised by the State of Qatar, Education Above All Foundation, with support from UNESCO.