First Lady Launches School Linking Program

The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Sia Koroma, launched Plan Sierra Leone’s School Linking Program on the 26th November in Freetown.

She said that the School Linking Program was a unique initiative in the education system in Sierra Leone with a broad perspective on the exchange of ideas among pupils in Sierra Leone and the UK.  

The First Lady is greeted by a child at the launch

The School Linking Program is funded by Plan UK and seeks to link 20 primary and secondary schools in Freetown and Port Loko (northern Sierra Leone) with their counterparts in the UK through the Internet and other multi-media technologies. Children in both countries will have the opportunity to mutually exchange ideas and experiences on socio-cultural issues bordering on the lives of young people, globalization, school governance, child rights and a host of other issues that would general enlighten the children and increase their self esteem and confidence.

“The educational benefits will foster understanding of development issues, promote awareness and improve access to information on human rights, child rights and participation in the educational sector”, said Fadimata Alainchar, Country Director of Plan Sierra Leone.

“We hope that the program will nourish our education and that we would be able to exchange ideas of learning, cultural practice and also visit”, said Abdul, one of the pupils involved in the program.

Children made skits and sang songs to demonstrate their excitement and enthusiasm for the program.