This week, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Conrad Sackey, joined more than 500 education leaders from across Africa at the Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX) summit in Kigali.
The high-profile event, which brought together ministers and education experts from 28 countries, serves as a collaborative forum for addressing learning poverty and fostering economic opportunities for Africa’s youth.
In a compelling address to the assembly, Minister Sackey stressed the need for education systems that equip young people to actively contribute to national economic growth.
“A society cannot thrive when its youth are unprepared to contribute to the economy,” he asserted, calling for greater alignment between educational goals and economic needs.
Sierra Leone has made notable investments in foundational learning as part of its broader commitment to improving education access and quality.
Minister Sackey highlighted the country’s $18 million Education Innovation Change Fund, an initiative designed to support educational reforms and ensure comprehensive learning from early childhood through secondary school.
This fund reflects Sierra Leone’s focus on innovative education policies to tackle issues such as low literacy rates and high dropout levels.
Minister Sackey’s participation in FLEX underscores Sierra Leone’s dedication to addressing critical educational challenges and preparing the next generation to take on leadership roles in the nation’s future.
His involvement in this summit also positions Sierra Leone as a proactive player in the continent-wide effort to combat learning poverty and enhance economic prospects for Africa’s youth.
