Sierra Leone Europe

National School Essay Competition: “How do you see yourself contributing to Sierra Leone’s progress by the year 2030?”

BRUSSELS, 02 February 2024 / PRN Africa / -- In November and December 2023, the European Union Delegation, in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), organized a National Senior Secondary Schools’ Essay Competition, under the topic “How do you see yourself contributing to Sierra Leone’s progress by the year 2030?” With this activity, students were invited to reflect about their future positive contribution to the progress of their country.

Students from sixteen Senior Secondary Schools from all sixteen districts across Sierra Leone participated in the competition, which challenged students to envision their role in the nation's future. The sixteen participating schools, one per district, selected by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, organized sessions in which the students drafted their essays. Forty-eight students (five per school and district) were selected by the schools to participate in the national competition, and their essays were evaluated by a panel of judges, including representatives of the MBSSE, University of Sierra Leone (USL), Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce Agriculture (SLCCA) and Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).

Five students, including two female students, emerged as winners, and received awards (laptops) in a final ceremony held in Freetown on 12 December, 2023. All participating schools and students received a recognition.

The essays reflected a collective hope and vision of progress and prosperity for Sierra Leone. Students showed their talent, dreams and aspirations of personal contribution to the progress of their country.

At the final ceremony, Ms. Elisa Tesselli, Programme Manager and Communication Coordinator of the EU Delegation, said: “I would like to recognise especially the talent and work of the participating female students. Sierra Leone needs the contribution of women and girls to the country’s progress. Education of women and girls is key in this regard”. She concluded: “To all participants, your voices and insights will contribute to shaping Sierra Leone's future.”

Young people, with their aspirations, skills and work, build the future. Education is one of the priority areas of the development partnership between the European Union and Sierra Leone. The EU will continue to support Sierra Leone’s educational system, with increased access to education and improved quality of learning, which are instrumental in improving lives.

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SOURCE European Food Safety Authority