By Jensen Brian Abass Cummings
Is Radical Inclusion Working in Sierra Leone’s Education System?
Radical inclusion in education has become a buzzword in Sierra Leone’s policy circles, particularly under the Bio-led government.
The initiative, championed by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, aims to ensure that no one is left behind, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, disability, or even pregnancy. However, the recent ruling that allows pregnant pupils to take public exams in Sierra Leone and the exclusion of students over a certain age from writing the WASSCE (West African Senior School Certificate Examination) raise critical questions about the true extent and fairness of radical inclusion in the education system.
The Case of Pregnant Pupils: A Victory for Radical Inclusion
A landmark example of radical inclusion was the case won by the current Minister of Information, Honorable Chernoh Bah, during his tenure as CEO of Purposeful Organization Under his leadership, this body fought to overturn an archaic policy that prohibited pregnant girls from attending school and taking public exams. The case gained nationwide attention, as it touched the core of the education system’s treatment of vulnerable groups, particularly young girls who had become pregnant while still in school.
The ruling allowed pregnant pupils to sit for public exams, including the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and WASSCE. This was a significant shift from the discriminatory policies of the past, which stigmatized pregnant girls and effectively blocked them from furthering their education. The decision was hailed as a victory for women’s rights and a bold step towards achieving gender equality in Sierra Leone.
By enabling pregnant students to continue their education, the ruling embodied the principles of radical inclusion: providing access to education for everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Pregnant girls, who were once marginalized, could now complete their secondary education and potentially progress to tertiary institutions, opening doors for them to escape cycles of poverty and dependence. This policy change reflects a commitment to the belief that every child has a right to education, even in the face of societal taboos and conservative norms.
Other Situations Warranting Radical Inclusion
Radical inclusion is necessary in Sierra Leone for more than just pregnant girls. The country’s education system must also consider children from marginalized backgrounds, including those with disabilities and those living in remote rural areas. Historically, children with disabilities have faced limited access to educational facilities due to inadequate infrastructure, lack of specialized teaching materials, and a dearth of trained teachers. While the Ministry of Education has taken steps to build more inclusive schools and provide resources for special needs education, there is still much work to be done to ensure these children can participate fully in the education system.
Moreover, radical inclusion must address the needs of children from low-income families, many of whom drop out of school due to financial constraints. Although the Free Quality Education initiative has made significant strides in reducing the cost burden on parents, hidden costs—such as uniforms, transportation, and study materials—continue to prevent full participation.
Age Restrictions in WASSCE: A Contradiction?
Despite these progressive strides, some policies undercut the spirit of radical inclusion. Recently, the Ministry of Education enforced an age restriction for students sitting for the WASSCE exams, setting an upper limit for students allowed to take the exam in school settings. As a result, many students were left out, unable to register for the WASSCE simply because they were considered “too old.” This policy has sparked widespread debate, as it seems to contradict the very notion of radical inclusion.
In a country where many students face delayed entry into school due to financial difficulties or other life circumstances, age-based restrictions could further disadvantage those who are already struggling. For example, children from rural areas often start school later due to a lack of access to educational facilities or because they are needed at home to help with subsistence farming. Penalizing these students by denying them the opportunity to take WASSCE exams undermines the goal of ensuring that everyone has an equal chance at education.
If radical inclusion is truly the goal, then policies like these need to be re-examined. While the Ministry may have valid reasons for implementing age brackets, such as managing resources and ensuring a smoother administration of exams, it is important to consider the social implications. Excluding older students from taking their exams may push them into informal education routes or force them to abandon education altogether, thereby widening the inequality gap.
Is Radical Inclusion Achieving Its Goal?
Radical inclusion, at its core, seeks to create a level playing field for all students, regardless of their personal circumstances. The victory that allows pregnant girls to take exams is an important milestone, but the age restrictions on WASSCE students raise questions about whether the policies are consistently applied across all sectors of the education system.
For radical inclusion to truly work, it needs to encompass all students, irrespective of their background, abilities, or age. The Ministry of Education has made commendable strides, but there remains a need for further reforms to ensure that no student is left behind. In a country where education is often seen as the only ladder out of poverty, policies that exclude students—whether due to pregnancy or age—must be re-evaluated to better align with the ideals of fairness and equality.
As Sierra Leone continues to build its educational framework under the Bio-led government, the principles of radical inclusion must remain at the forefront of policy decisions. Only then can we say with confidence that radical inclusion in the Sierra Leone education system is truly working.
