In Koinadugu district…

12-year old Saio Mansaray extols President Bio’s Free Quality Education

By: Mohamed Lamin Massaquoi and Cyril Barnes

The Free Quality Education program was introduced by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio in 2018, as part of his manifesto promise to provide free quality and accessible education to every Sierra Leonean child. Since its launch, the initiative has seen an exponential rise in school enrollment and provided direct benefit to millions of children across the country.

One of such beneficiaries is Saio Mansaray, a 12-year-old who narrated how the introduction of the Free Quality Education by President Bio has helped to turn his fortunes around. Saio has been blind since age two. To worsen the situation, he also lost his dad at a tender age and could not go to school because his only hope, his mother – Ferrehmusu, could not afford to pay school fees of SL. 45,000 (Old Leones) per year. This kept Saio from school throughout his early days. For Saio, the free education program has been an immense blessing and one that presents him a golden opportunity to achieve his dreams.

“I am happy that I am able to join my friends in school which I have always dreamt of,” he said. When asked about a future career path, a very self-confident Saio added: “My dream is to be a Doctor so I can provide free medical services to all my people here in the village. President Bio has shown us that even those of us with disabilities can become useful people.”

Ferrehmusu, a single mother, who relies on proceeds from her vegetable trade to cater for the home, noted that before the launch of the Free Education, Saio’s future was already on the brink of collapse since there was absolutely no means to pay her son’s fees. She added with the Free Education, Saio has now enrolled into a community school, where he is progressing very well in his fourth class.

“I cannot explain my level of excitement. Seeing my only son, Saio going to school everyday brings me the biggest joy on earth. As a widow, I now rely only on God and Saio. I know that when he completes his schooling, he will be able to take care of me and the rest of the family. I thank this Government for wiping away my tears,” a very emotional Ferrehmusu recounted.

It could be noted that during President Bio’s first five years in office, a lot of development projects have been actualised in Koinadugu District. Currently, a total number of thirty (30) classrooms are under construction in various chiefdoms in the District, including DEC Primary School in Madina Kamanday, Kasunko Chiefdom, Tongos Junior Secondary School, Mamudiya Koro, Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom, Tongos JSS Senekedugu Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom, Government Junior Secondary School, Madina Gbonkobor, Gbonkobor Kayaka Chiefdom and DEC Primary School, Karasa, Tamiso Chiefdom.