Overview of the General Education System

Sierra Leone's education system faced severe challenges due to the civil war that lasted from 1991 to 2000. Many schools were destroyed, and access to education greatly diminished during this time. After the war ended, the government focused on rebuilding and expanding educational opportunities. One key initiative is the Free Quality Education (FQE) program, which received 21% of the national budget from 2018 to 2023 to support these efforts.

The education system is supervised by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE). These government agencies aim to provide inclusive, high-quality education. Educational institutions in the country include public, private, religious, and international schools, with urban areas typically enjoying better access to resources. Sierra Leone currently follows a 6-3-3-4 structure, such as six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary, three years of senior secondary, and four years of tertiary education.

English is the official language and the medium of instruction from Class 3 onward, although it is only spoken by a literate minority. As part of structural reforms, the government is working to promote Sierra Leonean languages and enhance teacher education standards through the establishment of a National Institute of Sierra Leonean Languages. With that move, the government has introduced the teaching of four national languages, such as Krio, Mende, Temne, and Limba, across all school levels. Meanwhile, French is mandatory in primary and lower secondary education, and optional at the senior secondary level, while Arabic is also an optional language at the secondary level.

In Sierra Leone, the Early Childhood Development Index indicates that 51.4% of children under five years are developmentally on track. According to UNICEF's MICS-EAGLE findings, primary education completion rates are similar for boys and girls, at 63% and 65%, respectively. However, evident gender disparities emerge at the lower secondary level, where 46% of boys complete their education compared to 67% of girls. This data reverses at the upper secondary level, with 27% of males completing while only 18% of females do so, which highlights specific barriers that impede girls' educational attainment.

Basic education in Sierra Leone consists of six years of primary and three years of junior secondary school, totaling nine years of compulsory education. While this is required by law, damage from the war has made it difficult to implement fully.

Education during the compulsory phase is officially free, and girls in northern and eastern regions are specifically encouraged through additional policy support. Primary education lasts six years. Completers are required to take the National Primary School Examination (NPSE).

Following primary school, students progress to junior secondary school, which spans three years and culminates with the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Completion of junior secondary school fulfills the country’s legal requirement for basic education.

Afterwards, students may continue to senior secondary school for another three years, which ends in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) administers all three national examinations: NPSE, BECE, and WASSCE.

Despite this structure, statistics revealed that in 2019, Sierra Leone's adult literacy rate for individuals ages 15 and above was reported at 51%, and declined to 48.64% in 2022. In 2021, 46% of boys and 67% of girls completed lower secondary education in Sierra Leone. However, at the upper secondary level, the situation changes as 27% of boys graduated compared to only 18% of girls. This indicates that girls face specific challenges in continuing their education at higher levels. These data highlight both advancements and ongoing inequalities in accessibility and completion of education in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone’s higher education sector comprises universities, technical/vocational institutes, polytechnics, and colleges. As of 2020, 17 registered universities and 15 post-secondary institutions offered undergraduate degree programs through affiliations with larger institutions.

Bachelor's degrees may take three or four years, depending on prior qualifications, with Honours degrees requiring four years. Master's degrees are generally one year following an Honours Bachelor's, or two years after a general Bachelor's. Doctoral programs require at least two years post-Master’s, which requires a dissertation.

Admission to tertiary institutions requires obtaining a Senior School Certificate, which serves as a prerequisite for pursuing higher education. The supervision of these higher education institutions falls under the jurisdiction of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), which plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with educational standards and maintaining the quality of education. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tertiary and Higher Education (MTHE) is responsible for spearheading the development of policies that guide and shape the framework of higher education in the region, which aims to enhance accessibility and the overall effectiveness of the educational system.

Notable HEIs are University of Sierra Leone, established in 1967, includes Fourah Bay College, Njala University College, Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, the College of Medicine and Allied Services, and others.