Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education has launched a promising initiative to assist out-of-school children and youth in reintegrating into formal education and training pathways. The newly unveiled National Guidelines for Accelerated Education Programs (AEPS) provide structured frameworks to swiftly equip these individuals with essential skills and foundational knowledge needed to rejoin the education system or enter the workforce.
AEPS are designed to address educational gaps quickly and effectively, enabling participants to attain qualifications equivalent to those required for continued education or employment opportunities. This initiative marks a significant step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030. Sierra Leone has set ambitious targets to completely eradicate the issue of out-of-school children.
The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and persistently low rural enrollment rates highlight the need for innovative educational approaches. Particularly vulnerable groups, such as girls facing challenges like early marriage or pregnancy (now banned by recent legislation), require targeted support to prevent dropout rates.
To ensure the effectiveness of these guidelines, the Ministry collaborated with Education.org, a nonprofit specializing in evidence-based education policy. This partnership aims to leverage research-backed strategies to optimize the impact of AEPS implementation across the country.
The Ministry, in conjunction with the Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission and key partners like Save the Children, which manages a consortium dedicated to delivering AEPS for 60,000 children, will lead the rollout of these programs. This collective effort signifies a renewed commitment to providing out-of-school children in Sierra Leone with access to educational opportunities, offering them a brighter and more promising future.
