In a landmark development for education in the Western Area Rural District, Amigos de Sierra Leona has officially opened a new Senior Secondary School at the Escario Pascual School compound in Matindi Village, expanding access to education for children in the community and surrounding areas.
The new facility completes a comprehensive educational complex that already comprises nursery, primary and junior secondary education, providing pupils with the opportunity to continue their studies through senior secondary level within the same school.
Beyond its classrooms, the school compound boasts a well-equipped library with computers, a tailoring school, a football pitch with sports equipment for pupils, and a solar power system. CCTV cameras have also been installed throughout the compound to enhance security.
Speaking about the project, Mrs Aminata Sesay, Head Teacher of Escario Pascual School, described the opening of the senior secondary section as a response to a pressing need in the community. She explained that many children previously had to travel considerable distances to neighbouring communities to access senior secondary education, creating additional difficulties for pupils and their families.
The school provides educational opportunities at different levels, with the primary section operating as a public school and the secondary section as a private institution charging modest school fees.
In an interview with this medium, Madam Susan Cole, Founder and Trustee of Amigos de Sierra Leona, disclosed that the construction of the new senior secondary school building was sponsored by TEDISA through Wara Wara Schools.
The new building comprises four classrooms, bringing the total number of classrooms across the school, from nursery to Senior secondary Two (SS2), to 14.
Madam Cole also highlighted the challenges facing the institution, particularly the limited government support in the form of financial subventions and government-approved teaching positions, (pinned staff positions). She revealed that the school has approximately 12 teachers, of whom only two are government-pinned staff.
She called for greater government support to strengthen the school’s sustainability, improve teaching conditions and ensure that children in underserved communities have access to quality education.
Escario Pascual School is supported by Amigos de Sierra Leona, a charitable organisation headquartered in Spain and founded by Madam Susan Cole. Since its establishment, the organisation has worked to improve access to education and essential services for disadvantaged children and families in Sierra Leone.
Its initiatives include a school feeding programme that provides pupils with a meal on each school day, alongside educational facilities and extracurricular activities designed to support children’s learning and development.
The opening of the senior secondary school marks a significant milestone in Amigos de Sierra Leona’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities in Matindi and the surrounding communities. By extending the school’s provision through senior secondary level, the organisation is helping more young people pursue their education closer to home.
The inauguration ceremony brought together community stakeholders, parents and well-wishers, who expressed their appreciation to Amigos de Sierra Leona and its partners for their continued commitment to the educational development of Matindi and its children.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 28th October 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
