GOV.SL|Government Administration Portal
EnglishKrio

Education Services

Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) — schools, universities, examinations, and the Free Quality Education programme

Free Quality School Education (FQSE) Programme — 22% of GDP invested in Education

Government-funded education for all children from primary through senior secondary. No tuition fees, free textbooks, and school feeding programme. Highest education spending as % of GDP in West Africa.

Total Schools

4,699

Primary + Secondary

Students Enrolled

1.6M

2025/26 academic year

Literacy Rate

48.1%

+13.3% since 2010

Registered Teachers

42,800

Teaching Service Commission

Girls' Enrolment

49.2%

Near gender parity

Education Spending (% of GDP) — West Africa

Sierra Leone
22%
Ghana
18%
Senegal
16%
Nigeria
12%
Liberia
14%
Guinea
10%

Sierra Leone leads West Africa in education investment

Adult Literacy Rate Progress (2010–2025)

34.8%
2010
37.2%
2013
39.4%
2016
43.2%
2019
45.8%
2022
48.1%
2025

Gender Parity in Education

Primary Girls Enrolment

49.8%

Secondary Girls Enrolment

47.6%

Female Teachers

32%

Girls WASSCE Pass Rate

64.2%

Radical Inclusion Policy ensures pregnant girls and teen mothers can continue schooling

School Infrastructure (2024-2026)

New Classrooms Built2,840 / 4,000
Schools with WASH Facilities3,200 / 4,800
Solar-Powered Schools680 / 1,500
Schools Renovated1,120 / 1,800

School Registration

Register a new school with MBSSE

Scholarship Applications

Apply for government scholarships and bursaries

Exam Results Verification

Verify WASSCE, BECE, and NPSE results online

Teacher Registration

Register with the Teaching Service Commission

Curriculum Downloads

Access the national curriculum and syllabus

TVET Applications

Apply to technical and vocational programmes

DistrictPrimary SchoolsSecondary SchoolsTotal SchoolsStudents Enrolled
Western Area Urban485142627285,000
Western Area Rural1985425295,000
Bo34289431148,000
Bombali28772359112,000
Kenema35684440156,000
Kono27861339108,000
Port Loko31268380132,000
Tonkolili2655832398,000
Kailahun2485230092,000
Moyamba1894123068,000
Bonthe1122814038,000
Pujehun1683520362,000
Kambia1783821672,000
Koinadugu1423217454,000
Karene1282715548,000
Falaba1082213042,000
TOTAL3,7969034,6991,610,000