By: Alusine Rehme Wilson Since President Julius Maada Bio launched the Free Quality Education Project (FQEP) in 2018, the initiative has aimed to remove financial barriers to schooling for children across Sierra Leone. But in recent years, a recurring controversy has raised doubts about just how “free” this education really is. Every year, starting with the 2021/2022 academic session, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education (MBSSE), in partnership with school administrators, releases a price list for items required for pupils entering Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS-1) and Senior Secondary School 1 (SSS-1). These include uniforms, belts, crests, neckties, and other school-branded materials. While the government continues to cover tuition fees, parents are still required to pay for these items, prompting concerns about the real cost of free education. Many parents argue that the cost of admission materials has become a significant burden, especially for those in ...
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