The Context
Sierra Leone, a West African nation with an estimated population of approximately 8.98 million as of 2024, continues its efforts to strengthen its education system. The government’s commitment to education is reflected in the increase in the number of schools. By December 2024, the total number of approved public and private schools had risen to 10,592, a 1.1% increase from the previous year. Government-supported schools also grew by 0.8%, reaching 8,020 institutions nationwide.
Despite this progress, the education sector faces resource shortages, insufficient teacher training, and high dropout rates. These issues were further exacerbated by the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, which disrupted learning and caused prolonged school closures.
The government has implemented comprehensive policies to address these challenges, including the Sierra Leone Education Sector Plan 2022–2026: Transforming Learning for All, prioritizing improving educational outcomes for children and youth. Additionally, initiatives like the Annual School Census have helped evaluate and advance the nation’s educational framework.
Recognizing the transformative power of education, Sierra Leone continues to partner with international organizations and donors to support learning initiatives. These collaborative efforts aim to provide all children equal access to quality education, laying the groundwork for a brighter and more equitable future.
ST Foundation’s Presence
Since 2009, the ST Foundation has been a key player in advancing digital literacy in Sierra Leone through the Digital Unify (DU) Program. The initiative began in Freetown with the establishment of four DU labs, laying a strong foundation for future expansion. Over the years, as demand for educational support grew, the program expanded to major cities, towns, and remote villages. By the end of 2024, the Foundation operated 51 DU centers nationwide, collaborating with public schools, higher education institutions, nonprofits, and private organizations. This extensive network is coordinated through Bridge the Digital Divide Sierra Leone, a dedicated local NGO serving as the Foundation’s operational arm.
The Foundation’s journey is a testament to the power of collaboration. In September 2018, the Tablet for Kids Course was introduced to equip young learners with essential digital tools. In October 2019, the Introduction to Computer Basics for Impaired People course was launched, focusing on empowering at-risk individuals with fundamental digital skills. In 2022, a significant partnership with UNICEF aimed to empower 10,000 adolescent girls nationwide by enhancing their digital literacy and employment prospects through the Introduction to Computer Basics course.
The momentum continued in 2024 with the launch of a Train the Trainer coding course in Freetown from June 24 to June 28. Organized with the expertise of master teacher Sada Kane from Senegal, this training offered hands-on experience with STM32 Nucleo L476RG and Arduino UNO boards. Participants engaged in practical projects, including optimizing plant growth with light sensors, building automatic barriers, and programming dancing robots. This initiative deepened the trainers’ understanding of coding and empowered them to share their knowledge effectively.
By the end of 2024, the Foundation had reached over 330,000 beneficiaries in Sierra Leone, marking a significant milestone in its mission to bridge the digital divide and expand educational opportunities across the country.
