Orange Foundation Commissions Sixth Early Childhood Development School in Pujehun
By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a major boost to early childhood education in Sierra Leone, Orange Sierra Leone (OSL), through its Foundation, has on Saturday 5th July, 2025 officially commissioned and handed over a newly constructed Early Childhood Development (ECD) school in Sarguehun Town, Perri Chiefdom, Pujehun District. The school becomes the sixth of its kind built under the company’s ongoing support to the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) initiative.
In his welcome remarks, marking his first official assignment since being elected as the new Paramount Chief of Perri Chiefdom P.C. Mohamed Musa Gpakra Massally expressed heartfelt appreciation to Orange Sierra Leone for constructing the Early Childhood Development (ECD) School in his chiefdom.
He acknowledged the pivotal role of President Julius Maada Bio’s Free Quality Education (FQE) initiative, launched in 2018, which he said has significantly improved school enrollment across the country. He noted that the commissioning of the ECD School by Orange is a direct complement to the government’s efforts in expanding access to education.
“Early Childhood Development education is crucial for the intellectual and social growth of children in rural areas, just as it is for those in urban settings,” he said. He urged parents to send their children to school and not hold them back, stressing the importance of utilizing the facility responsibly to ensure its long-term sustainability.
PC Massally concluded by encouraging the community to take ownership of the school and support efforts to provide quality education for every child in Perri Chiefdom.
Delivering his address at the commissioning, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Sekou Amadou Bah, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting national development through strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments.
He emphasized that the school project forms part of a five-year $1.5 million pledge made by Orange SL in August 2018 to back the FQE agenda launched by the Government of Sierra Leone.
“This is more than a building it’s a future-shaping initiative. Through our Foundation, Orange SL has built ECD schools in Kambia, Port Loko, Moyamba, Bonthe, and now twice in Pujehun. We are proud of the positive social impact we continue to make in the communities where we operate,” Bah said.
The newly commissioned facility, built by construction firm Jemkon Ltd, features a spacious, modern design that accommodates 84 pupils aged 2–4 years, with a strong focus on girls’ enrollment. The aim is to provide foundational education that prepares young learners to transition into primary school by the age of five.
CEO Bah urged local families, particularly women, to enroll their children and take advantage of the opportunity. “To the mothers of these future leaders, I say: leave your children in school while you go to the farm, engage in business, or trade. All pikin for go school,” he encouraged.
He also expressed appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for initiating the Free Quality Education policy and for creating a conducive business environment that enables partnerships like these to thrive.
“We thank His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his visionary leadership, and we call for continued collaboration so we can expand our contributions to human capital development and economic progress,” he added.
The CEO concluded by acknowledging the invaluable contributions of the local community, especially the land-owning families, traditional leaders, MBSSE staff, and Orange SL employees who helped bring the project to fruition.
“As we hand over this ECD School to the Ministry of Education today, we do so with a deep sense of pride and purpose. We remain fully committed to our national CSR actions through the Orange Foundation Because We Care,” Bah stated.
Melody Martin, Director of ECD/Primary Education at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), commended the Orange Foundation for the construction and commissioning of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) school in Pujehun. She described the initiative as a clear testament to the Foundation’s continued commitment to supporting the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) agenda.
She highlighted that the Ministry, in demonstrating its own commitment to Early Childhood Development, has already provided all the essential learning materials needed for the newly commissioned ECD Centre.
Martin emphasized that Early Childhood Education is a multi-sectoral approach essential for raising well-rounded children. She explained that this stage of learning plays a critical role in stimulating the cognitive development of young minds.
She encouraged parents not to let the facility sit unused, but rather to seize the opportunity by enrolling their children, ensuring the building serves its intended purpose of laying a strong foundation for the future of their children.
Delivering the keynote address, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Minister of Labour and Social Security, recalled that in 2018, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio launched the Free Quality Education (FQE) Initiative an ambitious effort to transform the country’s education sector. He noted that institutions like Orange Sierra Leone immediately committed to supporting the President’s vision, and the construction of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Pujehun and other districts is a clear demonstration of that commitment.
The Minister emphasized the importance of Early Childhood Development, stating that the President often affirms that the opportunities his own child has in accessing early education should be equally available to every child across the country. He commended Orange for playing a vital role in advancing that objective.
Minister Swaray encouraged parents and the community to take full advantage of the facility, ensures its sustainability, and sends their children to school.
He concluded by applauding Orange for constructing and commissioning what is now the sixth ECD school built by the company nationwide, describing it as a strong contribution to national development and human capital investment.
The event was climaxed by the official commissioning of the Early Childhood Center by the Paramount Chief of Perri Chiefdom P.C. Mohamed Musa Gpakra Massally, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Sekou Amadou Bah and Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Minister of Labour and Social Security followed by a tour of the facility.