By Desmond Tunde Coker
On October 21st, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) joined other African Union (AU) member states in commemorating African Human Rights Day. This annual event celebrates the 1986 establishment of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), to which Sierra Leone became a signatory on September 21, 1983.
This year’s theme, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa,” aligns closely with Sierra Leone’s Free Quality School Education (FQSE) initiative, launched in 2018. The theme emphasizes the importance of quality education as a foundation for human rights, as enshrined in Article 17 of the ACHPR.
In a press release, HRCSL highlighted the role of education in national development and poverty alleviation, echoing Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which calls for increased investment in education. HRCSL commended the government for allocating 22% of the national budget to the education sector and for implementing progressive policies such as the Radical Inclusion policy and the Sierra Leone Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030), which prioritizes human capital development.
The Radical Inclusion policy, in particular, has made significant strides by ensuring pregnant girls and persons with disabilities (PwDs) have equal access to education, with free tertiary education for PwDs in line with the 2011 Persons with Disability Act.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain, including shortages of teaching materials and delays in subsidies for schools. HRCSL urged the government to address these issues and called for improved remuneration and working conditions for teachers to strengthen the Free Quality Education program.
Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq., Vice Chairperson of HRCSL, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in Sierra Leone, wishing the nation a happy African Human Rights Day.