SIERRA LEONE NATIONAL POLICY ON RADICAL INCLUSION IN SCHOOLS: EXAMINING GIRLS' EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AT THE PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY LEVELS IN SIERRA LEONE.

Abstract

Sierra Leone, located on Africa's west coast, has a population of 7.1 million and a constitution that guarantees fundamental human rights. The Education Act of 2004 outlines Sierra Leone's education system, which includes six years of primary, three years each of junior and senior secondary, and four years of tertiary education. The Education Sector Plan 2018-2020 aims to enhance education access for all, including individuals with disabilities. The Quality Schooling in Sierra Leone (FQSE) policy, introduced by President Julius Maada Bio, seeks to improve secondary students' performance in external exams and provides free education from kindergarten to tertiary, including all external exams. This study evaluates awareness of Sierra Leone's national policy on radical inclusion in schools and explores educational opportunities for girls at various levels. A qualitative research design was used in Kailahun District, Eastern Province, Sierra Leone, involving students, parents, teachers, school administrators, politicians, and community members. Forty participants were purposively selected, including 15 students, 5 parents, 5 teachers, 5 school administrators, 5 politicians, and 5 community members, to develop strategies for overcoming challenges female students face in accessing quality education. The study utilized both primary and secondary data, with primary data gathered through interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis. The researcher utilized secondary data from textbooks, e-journals, project documents, newspapers, annual reports, and online literature. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods were employed, with descriptive tools such as percentages and graphs for questionnaire data. Interview and observation data were categorized into empirical arguments and theoretical results, analyzed using SPSS version 25. Education is a fundamental right for all. Inequality in Sierra Leone's primary and secondary education has led to poverty, high birth rates, and girls working in informal sectors. Respondents seem aware of the government's radical inclusion policy in schools. Results show that some respondents are aware of the government's radical inclusion policy that grants girls free primary and secondary education, supported by school administrators. Most respondents feel school publications lack a gender perspective.

Keywords: Policy, national policy, radical inclusion, education, opportunity, school.