Section 14, The Education Act, 2004

The Minister may from time to time from funds appropriatedfor the purpose by Parliament– (a) establish and maintain government and government assisted schools; (b) give grants-in-aid to schools; (c) establish or maintain boarding homes ancillary to schools established or maintained under this Act, and give grants-in-aid or loans for the establishment, maintenance or repair of such boarding homes or the making of additions or alterations thereto: Provided that in the case of government assisted schools the consent of the manager is first obtained; (d) give grants-in-aid to such institutions or organisations which, in his opinion, promote the education or well-being of the children of Sierra Leone; (e) give grants-in-aid for the provision of meals at any government school or government assisted school; (f) give grants-in-aid to museums that are constituted and administered in a manner approved by the Minister; (g) provide in whole or in part for transporting children to and from any government school or government assisted school; (h) provide medical and dental services for children attending school; (i) provide for regular inspection and supervision of schools; Additional functions of National Commission for Basic Education. Control and supervision of education system. Powers of Minister. (j) provide for the conduct of all examinations necessary for the operation of the education system; (k) provide bursaries or scholarships– (i) to assist in the education, maintenance or transport of pupils who are undergoing or are proceeding to undergo a course of training as teachers or any technical or vocational or academic course in any institution approved by the Ministry for the purpose; (ii) to assist in the education, maintenance or transport of pupils who are undergoing or are proceeding to undergo courses of instruction at institutions approved by him outside Sierra Leone; Provided that the Minister may withdraw any such bursaries or scholarships, but every grant or withdrawal of any bursaries or scholarships shall be subject to rules made under this Act; (l) establish a code of conduct for all learners in school, especially in their mode of dress and general comportment; (m) institute mechanisms for yearly appraisal of all teachers to provide relevant information from which measures and policies could be formulated for sustainable qualitative improvement in the educational system; and (n) make such other provision for the carrying on of public education as may be consistent with this Act.