Pujehun Marks International Literacy Day, Calls for Stronger Education Support

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in Pujehun District, with support from SLADEA, has commemorated International Literacy Day with renewed calls for greater commitment to improving reading, writing and learning outcomes among children and adults.

The celebration, held in Yonni Town, Kpanga Chiefdom, brought together schoolchildren, teachers, women, youth, education stakeholders and the media.

Speaking to Pujehun Daily News, Thomas W. Abu, Assistant Deputy Director at MBSSE in Pujehun District, said the September 8, 2026 commemoration provided an opportunity for education stakeholders to reflect on literacy as a foundation for individual development, social inclusion and national progress.

Abu said the event highlighted the need for stronger support for literacy and foundational learning, noting that MBSSE continues to prioritise access, equity, school completion, and the quality and relevance of education while promoting learning opportunities for both children and adults.

He added that the celebration comes as education stakeholders in Pujehun intensify efforts to tackle learning poverty and ensure that children are not only enrolled in school but are also safe and effectively learning.

According to Abu, the District of Excellence Programme, launched in Pujehun with support from MBSSE and EducAid, focuses on keeping children in school, ensuring their safety and improving learning outcomes.

Lucy Peppeh, Headmistress of Wesley UMC Primary School in Pujehun, thanked MBSSE and its partners for commemorating International Literacy Day in the district. She called for stronger collaboration among schools, parents, communities, government institutions and development partners to create an environment where every child can acquire essential literacy skills.

The MBSSE literacy campaign forms part of its broader mission to provide children and adults with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to economic growth and national development.

The celebration concluded with calls for sustained investment in teachers, teaching and learning materials, reading programmes and community participation to improve literacy outcomes across Pujehun District and Sierra Leone.