By Nasratu Kargbo
Draft of a new Education Bill has proposed that parents and guardians who do not send their children or Wards to school for basic education are to be jailed or fined.
A report made public by Strategic Communications Analyst at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Augustine Sankoh, stated that a person who neglects a child’s education will have committed an offence and upon conviction shall be dealt with accordingly.
MBSSE has reportedly concluded a nationwide consultation on the first draft of the Education Bill, 2023, which seeks to provide accessible, broad-based, and relevant education for all children from pre-primary to senior secondary school.
It stated that the ministry is engaged in regional consultations in different parts of the country such as Kenema, Bo, Makeni, Port Loko, and Freetown, with representatives of students, teachers, school proprietors, civil society, traditional leaders, and other education stakeholders in the country.
Speaking on the area of the educational structure, the report revealed that with the review of the 2004 Education Act, the ministry wants to make move the educational system from (6-3-3-4) to (7-3-3-4 or 1-6-3-3-4) in order to make provision for pre-primary school.
With this new system, every child aged five is expected to go to pre-primary school regardless of physical and financial difficulties, with the government assuring to fund a one-year pre-school for children.
The review also wants to ensure inclusivity in education, ensure education is disability-friendly, and encourage pregnant girls and children from poor communities to enjoy educational facilities.
Amongst other things, the bill intends to handle the issue of unauthorized establishment of schools, which according to the report will attract fines.
MBSSE’s Chief Education Officer, Professor Yatta Kunu said the consultative meeting was to get the views of stakeholders on the draft of the 2023 Education Bill.
Kunu said that after the consultation the team of consultants and the ministry’s leadership will meet and make decisions on things that should be changed and those that should be removed.
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