By Joseph Momoh, Reporter D.S.
ChildFund Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has officially handed over construction sites to contractors for the development of two additional three-classroom blocks equipped with Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities at Government Rokel Secondary School in Tower Hill and FAWE Girls Secondary School in Waterloo.
This initiative marks the final phase of the “Increasing Access to Secondary Education for Out-of-School Girls in the Western Area” project, aiming to provide quality learning spaces for over 3,000 girls across six schools. The project aligns with the government’s radical inclusion policy, which seeks to enable more girls, particularly those who have dropped out, to return to school and complete their education.
Speaking at the ceremony, Justice (Rtd) Musu Kamara, Board Chair at Rokel School, emphasized that the new classrooms will alleviate overcrowding as the school transitions back to a one-shift system. Similarly, Christiana Kabia, Principal of FAWE Girls Secondary School, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “The actuality of this construction seems like I am daydreaming. This expansion will greatly help accommodate the growing number of girls enrolling in the school.”
According to Jeremy Sawyers, Project Manager at ChildFund, the initiative, launched three years ago, has already constructed and furnished four three-classroom blocks with WASH facilities at Sengbe Pieh Memorial, Sierra Leone Muslim Congress, Services, and Fourah Bay College Secondary Schools. He noted, “Every year, we have been constructing classrooms in various school communities. In 2023, we built and furnished two three-classroom blocks at Sierra Leone Muslim Congress, along with VIP toilets for boys and girls. We are also training teachers in line with government policies to meet teaching standards.”
Sawyers further highlighted ChildFund’s commitment to girls’ education, revealing that the project re-enrolls 120 girls annually. “In 2023 and 2024, we successfully re-enrolled 120 girls, and we plan to do the same this year. Many of these girls have sat for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE),” he added.
Local stakeholders have expressed their gratitude for the initiative. Chief Augusta Foday Kallon of the Waterloo community, who has been actively involved in the project, commended ChildFund for addressing the urgent need for school infrastructure. “The infrastructural development we have long hoped for is finally happening. I sincerely appreciate ChildFund Sierra Leone for this remarkable project. Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is a significant milestone for our community,” she stated.
Johnson Sesay, one of the project contractors, outlined the construction plan, stating that the new facilities will include three classrooms, one storage room, one office space, and two toilet facilities. The construction process is expected to be completed within four months, although Sesay noted that drilling for the boreholes may present challenges in locating a suitable water source.
The project is being executed by the following contractors:
- Comtech Solutions & Dorlbee – FAWE Secondary School, Waterloo
- Mas Construction & Fackban Construction – Government Rokel Secondary School, Tower Hill
As the project progresses, Sawyers urged school management and community members to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their maintenance. “Sustaining these structures is crucial for long-term educational development. We call on all stakeholders to work together in maintaining the schools,” he stated.
Once completed for the 2025–2026 academic year, these facilities will serve as a critical step towards improving access to education for out-of-school girls in Sierra Leone. The initiative underscores the importance of inclusive learning environments and the collective effort required to empower girls through education.
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