By Ragan M. Conteh

As Part of ActionAid development and humanitarian work trajectory, the organisation on Thursday 16th May, 2024 handed over six classrooms state-of-the-art massive infrastructural school buildings to the communities of Yogborfore village and three classroom school building of the Islamic Call Society Primary School, Mosankone village, Kargboro Chiefdom in Moyamba District.

The handing over ceremonies attracted stakeholders of governance including the Deputy Minister of Education one, Madam Emily Kadiatu Gogra,  and a host of community representatives from the District Council as well as educational sector.

In his statement the Executive Director of ActionAid, Foday-Bassie Swaray said as an organisation they believe in access to education and human right.

He informed that ActionAid made commitment in their strategies which they are conform to transformity.

He said the construction of the school buildings is a demonstration of ActionAid commitment in ensuring access to education for children in  Sierra Leone especially where ActionAid has educational programmes.

Mr Foday-Bassie Swaray revealed that the buildings is also to empowering education for sustainable development.

The Executive Director stressed that the schools are newly built and ActionAid started the construction in 2022  but faced some challenges and later continue and completed the project.

He maintained that the school at Yogborfore village has a roll close to 300 students.

He further stated that ActionAid is supporting teachers attending  distance education in the community.

He said one of the challenges the community and other communities where ActionAid operates is facing is the lack of trained and qualified teachers.

Mr swaray stated that the organisation need trained and qualified teachers that will increase the chances to include them in the government’s payroll.

He said in terms of cost the entire construction work is above six hundred and ninety three thousands (Nle 693,000).

As part of their gesture to equiped the school ActionAid provided school furniture including benches, chairs and learning materials.

Director Foday-Bassie Swaray mentioned tha just this year the organisation  commissioning two schools in Moyamba District and the newly constructed UMC Yogborfore village is inclusive.

He said the need for the construction of these schools in Yogborfore and Mosankone is evident.

He went on that the condition of the old school was life threatening and the old school was almost collapsing.

He re-echoed the point arround that as an organisation they are complementing  government’s effort on educational drive.

He said ActionAid is happy that the Deputy Minister of Education one, and Director of NGO witnnessed and graced the handing over ceremony.

Executive Director used the platform to plead with the government to enrol trained and qualified teachers for a better education in the community.

Delivering her keynote statement, the Deputy Minister of Education (1) , Madam Emil Kadiatu Gogra expressed her profound gratitude to ActionAid for their relentless effort is  helping President Julius Maada Bio education flagship project.

She stated that the two massive ActionAid education schools projects also show a clear manifestations of the organisation’s commitment in addressing the needs of communities where the organisation operates.

She furthered that education is key for the development and will address economic solution of communities and the nation.

The Deputy Minister urged women to support their children as they are the future of Sierra Leone.

She however admonished all stakeholders including teachers, chiefs and students to take a very good care of the school  buildings.

She assured commitment of addressing the teachers pin-code issues as well as support the school buildings.

The Head Teacher of the United Methodist Church schools, Augustine P. Simbo said he is overwhelmed for such a wonderful school gesture.

He maintained that this is a dream over nine (9) surrounding  communities long yearning for, adding that it is a dream come true.

“Over 9 communities will now benefit a lot. He promised to utilise the school for it intended purposes and for the benefit of children yet unborn.

The Head Teacher  thanked ActionAid for their humanitarian gestures and pleaded for more help for the school.

Stakeholders of Mosankone village also expressed profound gratitude to Actionaid Sierra Leone for their support, adding that the community has been  in dire need for educational projects for many years.

Many stakeholders including, Board Chairperson of ActionAid, representatives from the Moyamba District Council,  the DD of Education and the Director of NGOs in the Ministry of Development among many others made salient statements and thanked ActionAid for constructing such a state-of-the-art school in such a deprived community.

They urged the community stakeholders, teachers and pupils to use the school  building for the education of children.