By Thaimu T Kamara

Basic Education Minister Hon Conrad Sackay displaying the essay topic for the essay Competition

The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Honorable Conrad Sackey, has officially launched the 5th National Essay Competition organized by the UBA Foundation, calling on pupils across the country to use writing as a tool to address pressing social issues.

The launch event, held at the New Brookfields Hotel, brought together education stakeholders, development partners, teachers, and students from various schools. The competition this year focuses on the theme “Gender-Based Violence in Schools: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions.”
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Sackey encouraged pupils across the country to participate actively in the competition by expressing their ideas and perspectives on issues affecting their communities and the education sector.
He emphasized that the essay competition provides young people with an opportunity to demonstrate creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility toward building a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
According to the minister, addressing gender-based violence in schools requires the involvement of students themselves, who often experience or witness the challenges firsthand.
He urged pupils to take the competition seriously and use their essays to propose practical solutions that can help eliminate violence, discrimination, and harmful practices within educational institutions.
“The voices of young people are powerful. Through platforms like this competition, students can contribute meaningful ideas that help shape policies and strengthen our education system,” he said.
Minister Sackey further commended the United Bank for Africa through its foundation for continuing to invest in educational initiatives that empower young people and promote academic excellence.
Also speaking at the event was the Chief Operating Officer of United Bank for Africa Sierra Leone, Mr. Chiedu Ngene, who highlighted the growing impact of the competition since it was introduced in the country.
Mr. Ngene explained that the initiative has become one of the bank’s flagship educational programs aimed at promoting reading, writing, and intellectual engagement among secondary school pupils.
He noted that since the competition’s inception, it has attracted more than 1,500 essays from over 500 schools nationwide, demonstrating strong interest from students and educators across Sierra Leone.
According to him, the competition has produced several inspiring success stories, with many participating students developing greater confidence in their writing abilities and gaining recognition for their ideas.
“The essay competition continues to inspire young Sierra Leoneans to read widely, think deeply, and express their views boldly on issues affecting their communities,” he said.
Mr. Ngene added that the initiative also helps nurture future leaders by encouraging students to analyze societal challenges and propose thoughtful solutions.
This year’s competition is being coordinated by the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ), which is serving as the lead coordinating body responsible for overseeing the process and ensuring broad participation among schools.
Representatives from ILRAJ explained that the organization will work closely with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and other stakeholders to facilitate the submission and evaluation of essays from students across the country.
Education officials present at the launch welcomed the initiative, noting that programs that promote literacy, research, and critical thinking are essential for strengthening the country’s education system.
Students who attended the event also expressed enthusiasm about the competition, stating that the topic provides an opportunity for young people to discuss an issue that affects many schools and communities.
Organizers announced that the competition is now officially open and will run until 30 April, giving students ample time to prepare and submit their entries.
Participants are required to submit essays of no more than 500 words addressing the topic of gender-based violence in schools, including its causes, consequences, and possible solutions.
The essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and outstanding entries will be recognized as part of the competition’s effort to encourage academic excellence and creative expression among students.
Organizers say the competition is expected to attract hundreds of entries from secondary schools nationwide and will continue to serve as a platform that inspires young people to engage thoughtfully with important social issues while developing their writing skills.
More updates on the progress of the competition and the announcement of winners are expected in the coming months.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 18th March 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)