By Sahr Ibrahim Komba
In what can only be described as a heartbreaking reality, a photo circulating on social media shows a group of children attending class in a building barely fit for shelter let alone learning. With a thatched roof overhead, no flooring beneath, and an absence of basic furniture, the image has sparked outrage and deep concern among citizens and advocates of children’s rights.
“This is actually a school,” one post read. “And no, this post is not for political debate. Whether in governance now or before, I believe they already know. My focus is on the children.” Posted on social media by Hawa Turay, popularly known as Hawawa, a Sierra Leonean model, entrepreneur, cultural leader, and advocate for women’s rights. She’s best known as Sierra Leone’s first Miss Universe representative and a powerful voice for youth empowerment and social change.
The post has since gone viral, resonating with a broad spectrum of Sierra Leoneans who continue to question the impact and inclusivity of the government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) initiative one of President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship programs launched in 2018.
The FQE project, built on the pillars of access, equity, quality, and system strengthening, was introduced to provide free tuition, learning materials, and improved school infrastructure for pre-primary, primary, and secondary education. Over the past years, the government has spent millions of dollars and partnered with international organizations to improve education outcomes. However, the reality on the ground, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities, often paints a different picture.
While Freetown and other urban areas have recorded significant improvements in school attendance, infrastructure, and resource availability, many rural communities still struggle with basic learning conditions. Pupils in remote districts like Falaba, Karene, Pujehun, and parts of Tonkolili often learn in makeshift mud structures, or in abandoned buildings with leaking roofs and no furniture.The one that was considered an eyesore and ignited heated debates on social media was a makeshift building with thatched roofs in Gbanworia Village,Kulo-Seradu Section,Falaba District
In some cases, the absence of toilets and clean water discourages children especially girls from attending school consistently. Teachers are either under-trained, underpaid, or altogether absent, and parents are frequently forced to supplement government support with their own meager resources.
While the FQE has achieved gains in enrollment and public awareness, critics argue that it has disproportionately emphasized access over quality and sustainability. Many schools lack libraries, laboratories, textbooks, and trained teachers fundamental components of a “quality” education.
Moreover, infrastructure development, especially in rural areas, appears to have lagged significantly behind policy promises. Advocacy groups suggest that funding disbursements often bypass the schools most in need, while monitoring and evaluation mechanisms remain weak. Others highlight a gap between political rhetoric and ground-level implementation, particularly in areas that are geographically or politically marginalized.
The viral post ends not with blame, but with a call for collective responsibility:
“If you can help, even in your own neighborhood, please do. Chairs, books, paint, roofing sheets… or even just raising awareness. We all have a role to play.” Hawawa pleaded.
A recent video shared by SL News Blog has drawn public attention to the dire conditions of MCA Primary School in Falaba District, where a single volunteer teacher struggles to keep the school running.
Mabinty Marrah, the only teacher currently serving at the school, explained that she has been teaching alone since losing her colleague earlier this year. She disclosed that the school, which was built through community effort, has no government support and remains in a dilapidated state with a thatched roof.
“The community people cannot afford to pay me, but they usually help me by working on my farm twice a year so that I can survive,” Ms. Marrah said.
The school lacks basic facilities, including furniture, toilets, and essential teaching and learning materials. Despite these challenges, Ms. Marrah continues to volunteer her services to ensure that children in the community receive some form of education.
Indeed, while systemic reform is necessary, there is growing recognition that communities, civil society organizations, diaspora groups, and even individuals must step in to bridge the gaps. Local initiatives, such as community fundraisers to build new classrooms or sponsor school furniture, have proven to be effective stopgap measures while waiting for broader governmental reform.
The vision of Free Quality Education is a noble one rooted in the constitutional right of every child to access learning. But as this recent image reminds us, education is not just about being in school it’s about being able to learn in safe, dignified, and adequately resourced environments.
Until every child, regardless of location or background, can sit on a chair, write on a desk, and learn under a secure roof, the promise of Free Quality Education will remain just that a promise.
