Challenge: Translating policy ambition into practical, scalable systems 

Sierra Leone had set out ambitious plans to improve access to quality education, including for adolescent girls and children with disabilities. However, Sierra Leone’s education system was fragmented with limited resources and uneven capacity – so achieving these aims required more than developing individual policies. Government teams needed strong, consistent systems for deciding which reforms to prioritise, translating policies into action, and tracking whether the changes were making progress. 

Priority areas included radical inclusion, school safety and health, teacher workforce planning, school infrastructure, catchment areas, and the national Education Management Information System. These policies were at different stages of development and implementation, so each required a different level and type of support. 

Solution: Building government capability through tailored support 

We provided technical assistance to Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), combining support for the wider education system with focused assistance on priority policies. Partnering with the Learning Generation Initiative and Fab Inc and working alongside government teams, we helped to develop practical frameworks, implementation tools, roadmaps, and stronger data systems for better planning and oversight. 

Our aim was to embed stronger routines within the ministry so its teams could increasingly lead and sustain the work themselves. This involved coaching and mentoring staff, adapting support according to each policy’s importance and readiness. Priority reforms received intensive assistance, while lighter-touch support helped other policies move forward. 

Impact: From fragmented systems to focused, data-driven delivery 

The Sierra Leone Secondary Education Improvement Programme transformed how education policies in Sierra Leone were coordinated, implemented, and monitored – improving education for 1.6 million learners nationwide. 

We established: 

  • a national Policy Tracking Dashboard, which gave leaders full visibility of policy progress – a level of oversight previously impossible.
  • a School Master List, which is now a national reference point for planning and implementation, and has resulted in a 71% reduction in school list inconsistencies.
  • a Question Bank System for the digital teacher licensing exam, helping TSC to continuously refresh and improve the exam’s content and drive improved teaching standards.
  • Quarterly Deputy Directors’ meetings to improve communication and planning between central and district teams. 

“The quarterly coordination meetings have greatly enhanced coordination, leading to more effective oversight and improved service delivery.” 

– Alpha Bangura, Director of School Quality Assurance, Accountability and Resource Management, MBSSE 

Through co-created roadmaps and tools, we supported the ministry to build a high-functioning system capable of driving school improvement across Sierra Leone.