Edt

At , we were proud to meet with Sierra Leone's Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, to discuss accelerating foundational learning reforms, strengthening implementation, and ensuring that ongoing initiatives deliver measurable results for learners nationwide.

Sierra Leone has been an important partner for edt for many years. As the country continues its ambitious reform journey, we remain committed to supporting the government to scale interventions that are proven to work, strengthen national systems, and ensure that every learner – including the most marginalised – can access a quality education.

Read more about our meeting in the Minister's post below, and in Sierra Leone’s Truth Media: https://truthmedia.sl/sierra-leones-education-reforms-gain-global-backing-as-minister-sackey-bolsters-ties-with-education-development-trust/

One of the most rewarding moments at was my bilateral engagement with the Education Development Trust Edt - Africa, where we had an honest and forward-looking conversation on accelerating Sierra Leone’s education reforms.

Our discussions focused on completing key reform programmes, strengthening implementation, engaging our national stakeholders, and ensuring that every policy we develop translates into better learning outcomes for our children. We agreed that meaningful reform is driven not only by sound policies but by effective delivery and strong partnerships.

I was encouraged by EDT’s continued confidence in Sierra Leone’s reform journey and its commitment to supporting our education sector through technical expertise and evidence-based solutions. Together, we are working to ensure that our ongoing reforms leave a lasting impact on our schools and communities.

What continues to inspire me is the respect Sierra Leone commands on the global education stage. Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Julius Maada Bio and through the Free Quality School Education initiative, our country is increasingly recognised as a nation committed to transforming education through bold leadership, innovation and sustained investment.

There is still much work ahead, but every meaningful partnership strengthens our resolve to deliver an education system that gives every Sierra Leonean child the opportunity to learn, thrive and succeed.

On Wednesday 24th June, we were proud to join government and development partners, local authorities, and other organisations at the Foundational Learning Symposium in Zimbabwe. At the event, we reflected on progress, shared lessons, and strengthened collective action towards improving foundational learning outcomes for children in the country.

The keynote address from Zimbabwe’s Honourable Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Professor Torerayi Moyo, resonated strongly with our approach to improving foundational learning by . It emphasised that strong foundational learning is the cornerstone of quality education, calling for collaboration, teacher capacity development, supportive learning environments, and community ownership.

Chief Operating Officer at the Federer Foundation, Rugare Ncube, also praised the Ministry for adopting the Smart Tablet Early Learning Assessment (STELA) tool for all primary schools in Zimbabwe, which we are proud to have contributed to through our work on the School Readiness Initiative.

Our Director Sub-Saharan Africa, Faith Nkala, commented: “It was very encouraging as a person and as a Zimbabwean to see a full house very committed to foundational learning – not just committed by words, but by actions... What I’m taking away is how we need to collaborate and partner to make sure that these opportunities become meaningful and add value to the ambition that the Ministry has."

Thank you to Zimbabwe's Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for convening this successful event, with support from the Federer Foundation, and School Readiness Initiative partners: edt, Child Protection Society, Zimbabwe Network of Early Childhood Development Actors, and Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern and Southern Africa.