The Government of Sierra Leone in collaboration with UNICEF and other Partners on Wednesday 2nd July 2025 offically launched the Comprehensive Life Skills Framework at the Atlantic Hotel, Freetown.
In her remarks, the Deputy Country Representative for UNICEF, Liv Elin Indreiten underscored the importance of Comprehensive Life Skills Framework. She said the framework marks a significant milestone in this nation’s ongoing journey towards a more holistic and inclusive education system. She said it puts development of young people’s full potential at its very core.
She commended Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education for leading the development of this forward. She said it completion reflects strong national ownership and the collaborative efforts of government, partners, educators, and communities working together to support improved learning and life outcomes for children and young people in Sierra Leone.
She cited that UNICEF is proud to have supported the development of this life skills framework together with a range of other partners under the leadership of MBSSE.
She pointed out that education must extend far beyond the transmission of knowledge, adding that the global landscape becomes more complex, uncertain, and interconnected and that children and young people face challenges that require a broad and versatile set of competencies.
She said literacy and numeracy are essential, yet insufficient on their own noting that they must be complemented by life skills and those critical capacities that enable young people to navigate the complexities of daily life and to contribute positively to society.
“These life skills are based on the principle of fundamental equality between women and men, girls and boys and include critical thinking. It helps young people analyze information and make informed decisions; emotional regulation, which supports mental well-being and resilience” she said.
In Sierra Leone, the adoption of this framework could not be more timely or relevant. Our country continues to grapple with a range of critical issues from the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation to enduring gender inequalities, learning challenges and the high levels of youth unemployment that threaten social stability.
However, the framework offers a unified, coherent, and context-sensitive approach to embedding life skills education throughout both basic and senior secondary schooling. It recognizes the unique challenges faced by our children and young people and aligns education with broader national development goals, including peacebuilding, gender equality, and sustainable economic growth.
She assured UINICEF commitment to contribute to the development of the framework by providing technical expertise, facilitating inclusive consultative processes, and supporting financial resources where needed. Their commitment extends beyond this launch event. We are dedicated to supporting its implementation through teacher training programs, curriculum development and integration, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress and impact.
She stated that the true success of this framework depends on the collective will and action of all stakeholders. She called on Policymakers, Teachers and educators, communities and parents and development.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Research and Curriculum in the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Examination, Osman Kamara recalled that It all started when they change the name from Sexual and Reproductive Health Education to Civic Education. He noted that the process is going to shape the future of the pupils with support from the Ministry of education UNICEF and other development partners. He added that UNICEF and other partners has been working to ensure Life Skills stand out in term of implementation. He said the it also helps to the children at SSS level in shaping their life and inform them about their social life.
He recalled that a consultant has been working development the framework that will be use as a guide in the project implementation. He said out of the many that was listed only 12 was approves by government to be implemented at SSS level.
In her statement, the MEAL Manger at Action AID Sierra Leone Valerie Momoh underscored the importance of the framework. She commended the unwavering and invaluable effort of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, UNICEF, and the contributions of other development partners for getting us to this milestone. She said academics are key for building the agency of children especially adolescents in challenging the barriers that have created a rough pathway in achieving the full potential of children.
She pointed out that they believe that empowering children including adolescents with life skills will go a long way in boosting their self-esteem, thus help them make critical choices. She recognizes the worth and contribute to decision making the development, at the household, school and community levels, and ultimately in whatever opportunities and platforms given.
She said as an implementing partner for UNICEF, ActionAid has inclusive and empowering education as the first strategic priority in our current five-year country strategy paper. “This aligns our objectives with UNICEF’s drive to provide quality learning opportunities, the Government of Sierra Leone’s Medium Term National Development Plan to develop human capital and the SDG 4 Quality Education” she said. She noted that the process reaffirms ActiorAid’s commitment to contribute to the achieving quality education leaving no child out.
She disclosed that as part of the ongoing process Under the Global Proamme to End Child Marriage, they will be training schoolteachers with funds from UNICEF.
In statement Madam Ann Marie Konneh said before the development of the framework UNICEF has been supporting life skills in the post Ebola era. He said the outcome of the moves was very successful. He called for proper monitoring and implementation of the process.
