Reminiscence of Education in Post-War Years: Sierra Leone as a Case Study

Authors

Emerson Abraham Jackson University of Birmingham, the United Kingdom; Bank of Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2802-6152
Hudson Freddie Jackson Coopers School, Bromley, the United Kingdom. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8896-0083

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34142/2709-7986.2023.28.1.01

Keywords:

Post-War, Educational Challenges, Education and Development, Structural Change, Sierra Leone

Abstract

The main purposes of this paper are as follows: (I) to provide a historical narrative of Sierra Leone's educational system, (II) to assess the impact of war on the country's educational system and pace of development in the current digital age, and finally, (III) to offer some discourses for policy dialogue in embracing the developmental landscape of the country.

Methodology. The study is based on a "narrative" approach to exploring the outcomes of the civil war that resulted in the complete disruption of the education system in Sierra Leone.

Results. The outcome of the study, which utilizes a narrative methodological approach, has captured pertinent areas of concern regarding the destructive legacy that the civil war brought to the country. Notable among these is the complete collapse of standards in the education system and, even more notably, the emergence of fake educational institutions. The results also draw attention to the positives of free education in creating equality in access to education for all.

Conclusions. The study outcome shows that Sierra Leone is making some steady progress in providing an inclusive education for that despite the bad memory that the civil war brought to the entire nation. Moving on, the study outcome noted that progress needs to be made in terms of embracing modern technology to address emerging developments in areas pertaining to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and many more. Also, to resurrect the country to its earlier glory of high educational standards, efforts must be made to raise the profile of those responsible for delivering the curriculum (teachers in particular), while at the same time ensuring high quality of graduates are made to enter through competitive salaries.

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Author Biographies

Emerson Abraham Jackson, University of Birmingham, the United Kingdom; Bank of Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone.

Emerson Abraham Jackson holds the position of Assistant Director in the Economic Modelling and Forecasting Division (EMFD) at the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL), which is a part of the Research and Statistics Department. Within the EMFD, Emerson manages two sections, namely Modelling and Forecasting (MFS) and Methodology Development, Big Data and Interdisciplinary Research (MDBDIRS). The EMFD team, under Emerson's leadership, employs state-of-the-art econometric tools and models to contribute to the Research and Statistics Department's publication outputs. By closely monitoring crucial indicators such as Price and Exchange Rate, the EMFD plays a pivotal role in maintaining Sierra Leone's macroeconomic stability.

With over twenty years of experience in Further and Higher education in the UK, Emerson's passion for interdisciplinary research extends to fields such as Applied Econometrics, Big Data Analytics, Economic Anthropology, Educational Technologies, and Applied Philosophy. His vast knowledge and expertise are evident in his extensive publications, which include international SCOPUS-rated journal articles and book chapter entries and also, a forthcoming book on Applied Research Methods & Application.
As he finalises his doctoral thesis at the University of Birmingham's Centre of West African Studies in the UK, Emerson's research focuses on identifying various means of sustaining economic livelihood, particularly in Goderich, Sierra Leone.

Hudson Freddie Jackson, Coopers School, Bromley, the United Kingdom.

Hudson Freddie Jackson, hailing from Sierra Leone, is an accomplished professional with over 35 years of experience in the field of education. Currently serving as the Head of Finance and Lead Internal Verifier (IV) for BTEC Business at Coopers School in Kent, United Kingdom, Hudson has made a significant impact in his field. His contributions to the education industry in Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom have been significant. At present, he serves as an external verifier with the EDEXCEL awarding body and the London Institute of Business and Finance (LIBF). Notably, he has published his research in internationally referred journals in education and interdisciplinary areas, demonstrating his expertise and dedication to his craft.

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Published

2023-04-28

How to Cite

Jackson, E. A., & Jackson, H. F. (2023). Reminiscence of Education in Post-War Years: Sierra Leone as a Case Study. Educational Challenges, 28(1), 8-17. https://doi.org/10.34142/2709-7986.2023.28.1.01