Min. Sackey Champions Evidence-Based Education Reforms at FLEX2026

Min. Sackey Champions Evidence-Based Education Reforms at FLEX2026

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, led the nation’s presentation on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 in Lilongwe, Malawi to showcase Sierra Leone’s data-driven education strategies at the Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX2026).

Addressing an assembly of ministers and education leaders from across the continent, Minister Sackey underscored the necessity of moving beyond assumptions in policy-making, advocating instead for strategies firmly rooted in evidence.

Central to Sierra Leone's reform agenda has been the comprehensive implementation of National Learning Assessments as part of foundational learning reform. 

In 2025, the country successfully assessed over 371 schools and 2,726 pre-primary pupils, alongside more than 400 schools and thousands of Primary 2 students across all 16 districts. These assessments, according to Minister Sackey, are already instrumental in shaping curriculum reviews and directing targeted educational interventions.

“I did not share these figures merely to recite statistics,” Minister Sackey stated during the exchange.

“They represent something I have committed to as a matter of principle: that policy on foundational learning must be built on evidence, not assumption.”

The Minister highlighted that the recent assessment data will establish a crucial baseline for measuring educational progress by 2027. Looking toward institutional sustainability, he announced that Sierra Leone is currently in the process of upgrading its National Assessment Services Unit into a fully-fledged National Assessment Services Authority, a move intended to bolster the country’s long-term capacity for generating and utilizing learning data.

In his appeal to international partners, Minister Sackey emphasized the need for sustainable system-building rather than isolated initiatives. He urged for greater support in developing technical capacity, ensuring that the full cycle of a child’s learning journey is addressed to prevent students from being left behind.

The Sierra Leonean delegation included Mr. Fomba, Lead of the National Learning Assessment Services Unit, who detailed the technical experience of constructing the assessment framework. 

Sierra Leone's active participation at FLEX2026 reflects a broader commitment to evidence-based planning and the pursuit of improved learning outcomes through robust national systems.