Principals Warn of FQE Slowdown
By Musa Paul Feika
The Secretary General of the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, Mr. Musa Amos Kai, has sounded the alarm over what he views as the government’s waning commitment to the Free Quality Education (FQE) program.
In an interview on Liberty Online TV this morning, Mr. Kai said the government’s support for the flagship initiative appeared much stronger before the 2023 elections, but has since weakened, leaving schools struggling to cope with mounting challenges.
He cited delays in the provision of teaching and learning materials, insufficient support for schools, and neglect of teachers’ welfare as major setbacks to the program’s success.
“The Free Quality Education (FQE) was launched with great promise, but after the elections we have seen a slowdown in government’s response to urgent needs. Schools are still grappling with overcrowding, inadequate resources, and other systemic problems that require immediate attention,” he stressed.
Mr. Kai urged the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) to revitalize its efforts and ensure that FQE delivers on its mission of expanding access and raising the quality of education for all Sierra Leonean children.
He further encouraged policymakers to deepen engagement with education stakeholders, reminding them that principals and teachers remain the backbone of the nation’s education system.
