Regulations.lm. Repeal and Savings
"]
-'
J
SrcNro this 2nd dtY of MtY ' 2023'
DR. ruLIUS MAADA BIO'
President'
No.23 2A23
Sierra Leone
tl
ENecreo by the Fresident and Members of Parliament in this
present Parliament assembled'
The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act' 2023
Being an Aet to Repeal antl Renface Th3 EducationAct 2{X)4
(Act No.2 of 2004), excepi for the section:::^T ***ed relatingto
Tertiary and Higher dducation and associatBd Sections and
Subsections. To restructure and reform the Basic and Senior
Secondary Education system to make it free, aocessibte' compulsory
."f"uuut, "fLinclusive
and right-based' to improve the governance
structure of the school ;;;r and to provide for other related
matters
Short title.
Datc of commencement.
@
Int€rprctation. l. In thisAct, unless the contelft otherwise requires-
"affirmative action" means the practice or policy of
favouring individuals belonging to groups regarded
as disadvantaged or subject to discrimination;
"autism spectrum disorder,' means a developmental
disability caused by differences in the brain and a
child with autism spectrum disorder may behave,
communicate, interact and learn in ways that are
different from most other children;
"basic education" means formal schooling provided
from pre-primary I tojunior secondary 3;
"Basic Edtrcation Certificate Examination,, means Basic
Education Certificate Examination referred to in
section 28;
"Chief Education Of,ficer" means the professional and
technical head ofthe Ministry referred to in section
5;
"citizenship education,, means a form ofeducation that
teaches pupils the rights they enjoy, their
responsibilities to the society, bna *reir duties to
the country;
t,
.
2 No.?^3 The BasicandSeniorSeconda4tEducation Act ZAZ3
\
No.23 The Ba-sic and Senior SecondarY Htc*ion Act 2023 3
"community education centretr means a cente for the
promotion of non-formal literacy and basic
education as well as skills acquisition;
"community language" means the predominant
language in a localitY;
"community service" means unpaid wor*' intended to
be ofsocial use, that an offender is required to do
instead of going.to prison or paying a fme;
"compulsory subject" means a subject tbat all pupils
are required to studY;
"continuous assessment" means a form of measuring
learning progress regularly throughout a prescribed
course or pragramme;
"co-or<iinatlrr or ntanager" means the head of an adult
literacy, .:omliunity education cenre, or non-forrnal
e<iucatiort celltre:
"corpcral punishment" means any punishment in
which physical tbrce is used and intended to cause
some degree of Pain or discomfot;
*comiption" meafls a form of dishonesty or a criminal
offence which is undertaken by a person or an
organisation which is entrusted in a position of
authoriry, in orderto acquire illicitbenefits orabuse
of power for one's Personal gain;
4 No.23 TIe Basic and Senior Secondary Hucation Act ZO23
"creative thinking" means devising new or altemative
ways to carry out tasks, solve problems, and address
challenges;
"critical thinking" means analysing available facts,
evidence, observations, and arguments to form
judgement;
"cruriculurn" means &e subjects comprising a course
of study in an educational seting;
"cyber bullying" means a form of intimidation or
harassment using electronic means, for example,
pestering phone calls;
'data-driven" means something that is determined by
or dependent on the collection or anatysis of
information;
"delinquent" means q?ically a young person who
commits minor offence;
"Deputy Director" means a second in command to tlre
head of a technical directorate or head of the
education office in the district referred to in section
7;
"Directorate" means a technical division in the
Minishy responsible for implementing the Minist4/s
proganmes and strategies;
L
No.23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Mtcation Act 2023 5.
"distance education learning" means a method of
delivering education to pupils with limited direct
contact with teachers;
"early childhood education" means catering to dte
educatio-nal needs ofthe child from 3-5 years;
"Education Committee" means a group of persons
appointed by alocal councilto manage its education
responsibilities;
"Education Secretary" means a senior person who is
responsible for the overall management of a school;
"Education Youth Advisory Group" means the
Education Youth Advisory Group established under
section 96;
"emergency" means serious political unrests or InaJor
health issues or disastrous happenings that have
the potential to disrupt the school system;
'epidemic" means a widespread occurrence of an
infectious disease in a geographical area;
"equity" means being fully or tmly balanced in
resources, opportunity and outcomes; .
"expulsion" means removing a pupil or teacher from
the school permanently following a serious act of
indiscipline by the pupil or grave unprofessional
behaviour bY the teacher;
6 No23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryEducation Act 2023
"fri&-based" means being or associated with a religion
or religious group;
"foreign pupil" means a non-Sierra Leonean schoolgoing child:
"Free Quality School Education" means a prograrnme
dedicated to the promotion of qualig education for
which the cost of tuiiion and much of the teaching
and leaming materials and examination fees are borne
bythe Govelnment of Sierra Leone;
"gender equity" means the full and equal enjoyrnent
of rights and freedoms and equal access to
resources, opporhrnities and outcomes, by females
and males;
"gender mainstreaming" means the process of
identifying gender gaps and making women's and
menrs concems and experiences integral to the
desrgn, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
ofpolicies and programmes in all sectors in the
Ministry to ensure that they benefit equally;
"general secondary school" means a senior secondary
school that ailows pupils to choose specialist.
applied and every day subjects according ro their
needs, interests and aspirations;
"global languages" means international languages;
No.23 The Basic and Senior Secondaty ilucation Act 2023 7
,,Government school" means a school managed by or
on behalf of the Ministy
"Govemment-assisted school" means a basic or senior
secondary school that receives financial assistance
includiirg subsidies and other regular forms of
support from the Ministry and governman!
'guardian" means any recognised custodian ofa child;
"guidance counsellor" lneans a professional who
works in the basic or senior secondary education
system to provide academic, career, social and
emotional g,ridan"e to PuPils;
"inclusive education" means giving every child the
right to quality education and learning regardless of '
their circumstances, gender, place of residence'
etlrnicitY, etc.;
"infectious disease" means a sicknessiillness that is
transmitted from Person to Person;
"in-service training" means training provided to
practising or serving teachers to improve their
competencies;
"information technology" means the use of
computers, storage, networking and other physical
devices, infustrucfure and processes to create'
8 No.23 The EasicandseniorSecondaryEducation Act 2A23
process, store, secure and exchange all forms of
electronic data;
"Junior secondary school" means the school category
for 3 years after primary school;
"learner" means a person ofany age for whom
education is provided in accordance with this Act;
'lifelong education" means on-going pursuit of
knowledge for either personal or professional
reason;
"local council" means an elected body rlw administers
a city or district council;
"Medical Of;ficer" means a health practitioner in the
employment of the government or authorised by the
government to attend to the health needs of
individuals that include school pupils;
"mental health" means a condition with regard to the
psychological and emotional well-being of a pupil;
"Minister" means f-ire political head of the Ministry
responsible for Basic and Senior Secondary
Education;
"Ministry" means the Ministry responsible for Basic
and Senior Secondary Education;
No.23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Hucation Act
"National Boarci" means the National Board of
Education established under section 9;
"National Frimary School Examination" mearsNational
Primary Schooi Examination referred to in section
26:'
"non-discriminatirltt" means the fair or even-handed
Eeaunent of different categories of people;
"non-formal educatiod' means any plarured Fogramme
of education or instruction designed to improve a
range of skills and competences, outside the formal
educational setting;
"pandemic" means a widesprcad occtrlrenc€ of an
infectious disease over a whole counuy or the world
ataparticuiar tirne;
"para-curricular" meals an activity at a school pursued
in arldition to the normal course of study;
"pa.rent" means the biotogical or adopted mother or
father of a chiid;
"parent learnor" means an adolescent school-going
grl or boY -''rith a child;
"pre-school" mearc an educalional facility for children
3-5 years;
2023 9
l0 No. 23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Mucation Act Z0Z3
"primary school" me,ms the school category for six
years after pre-school;
"private school" means an educational establishment
that is not administered by government or a local
council, and does not receive regular financial
support from governmenq
"proprietor" means the owner of a school;
"public school" means gove,mrn€nt or governmentassisted school;
"pupil-on-pupil violence" means the verbal abuse,
trreats and physical pain a pupil inflicts on another
pupil;
"remedial learning" means additional assistance given
to pupils to improve their academic performance;
"School Manager" in the case ofaschool managed by
a proprietor, means the proprietor and in the case of
any other school the person appointed by the
proprietor to be the responsible locat representative
of the proprietor;
"School Management Cornmitted, means a group of
persons appointed or elected to oversee the
operations ofa primary school;
l, \
No.23 'fhe Basic and Senior Secondary Hucation Act 2023 ll
"semi-autonomous" means a body with powers to act
independmtlY to some degree;
"senior secondary school" means the school category
for 3 years afterjunior secondary school;
"special needs education" meansthe kind ofeducation
that accommodates the individual differences'
disabiiities, and special circumstances of certain
pupils;
"specialist secondary school" means a 6'pe of senior
seconda-ry school thatoffers a specialised curriculum
determircd bY the Minister;
"suspensiott" rneans asking the pupil or teacher to
temporarily leave the school after a misconducq
"technica! an<i vocational education and training"
means tl'.o technical and vocational education and
training set by the Ministry as a condition for
enrolmeut inr.o specialist schools under section 30;
"underserved cornmunity" means a community witlt
very limited social amenities andother facilities;
"ward" means the smallest political unit of a local
council, represented by a councillor;
"West A&ican Senior School Certificate Examination"
means West -lifrican Senior School Certifrcate
Exarnination referred to in section 3 1'
n No.23 Tlu BasicandSeniorSeeondaryEducation Act 2023
PARIII-CONTROL OF EDUCATION
-c. :l,T 2. The Minister shall have control and supervision ofsupervtsron
oi'Jo."tioo. pre- primary primary junior secondary and senior secondary
schooling as well as the non- formal and school-level adult learning
sectors tlroughout Sierra [,eone.
Powcrs of
Minister- 3. The Minister may, from time to time, from funds
appropriated by Parliament for that purpose -
(a) establish and maintain govenment and
government assisted schools;
O) give subventions to schools;
(c) establish or maintain boarding homes
ancillary to schools established or maintained
under this Act;
(d) give subventions or loans for the
establishment, maintenance or repair of
boarding homes to schools established or
maintained under this Act or the making of
additions or alterations thereto and subject
tothe consent ofthemanager, to govemmentassisted schools;
(e) give subventions to such instifutions or
organisations which, in his opinion, promote
the education or well-being ofthe children in
Sierra Leone;
(D give subventions for t[e provision of meals
at government schools or governmentassisted schools;
G) give subventions to museums that are
constituted and administered in a manner
approved by the Minister;
l,
No23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act 2023 13
(h) provide, in whole or in part' means of
transportation for children to and from
government schools or government assisted
schools;
O provide medical and dental services for
"$ta'"n attending government and
government-assisted schools;
() provide for regular inspection and
suPervision of schools'
4.TheMinistryisresponsiblefortheperformanceofsuchResponsibility
acts necessary o, in"ia"itui to the control and supervision 6f of Ministrv'
;;;t"" uy tire vrinme' under section 2' including -
(a) working closely with tre Ministry responsible
for local govermrent to ensu€ the effective
planning ana implementation of pre-primary'
lm'lxH;llx"r#lr,*"#;
sectors;
(b)ffil,ffi;T,"?::ff li^Hl;T;:,"ffi
guidelines;
(c) :f;1T,:fT#':il:T' :["m::";;
gou"**"o, schools- government-assisted
ichools and such other categorles or
u"hoolr, as may be determined bY the
Minister;
(d) superintending governmenJ - ti"a
go""to*"rt-asiisted schools, including
soecial needs institutions to ensure
,L*a*4. and national policies are met;
14 No23 The BastcandSeniorSecondaryEducation Act 2023
Chief
Officer.
(e) development of national curricula and
accompanying syllabuses for government
and goven'lrnent-assisted schools;
(0 ensuring that fke curricula ofprivate schools
conform to the goals and objectives ofthe
Ministry;
(g) investigating, in collaboration with other
reler,'ant bodies, fiaud and other malpractices
in the education system;
(h) prioritising improvement in literacy, numeracy
and civics knowledge of Sierra Leoneans;
O collecting, managing and producing accurate
and reliable school level data and statistics;
0 coordinating government schools feeding
and physical health programmes;
ft) managing schoois broadcasting programmes
and the education radio:
0 managing school sporting and other paracurricular activities.
5. (l) The Chief Education Officer is the professional and
technical head of the Ministy and key adviser to &e Minister on all
educational matters, with responsibility to -
(a) provide expert seryices ofsupport, guidance,
monitoring, inspection. etc., to the various
directorates or units in the Minisfiy;
O) serve as the major link between the Ministry
and parurers including consultants delivering
technical rvork;
No.23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Hucation Act 2A23 15
(c) subject to ttre directions ofthe Minister, serve
as the Chief Government Representative to
the West African Examinations Council'
(2) A person shall not be appointed Chief Education
Officer under subsection (1), unless he
(a) pJrr"rr", a Master's degree in education or
related discipline from an accredited
universitY;
Ii,l::rr#itrdl':liffffiilevel;
(c) has the knowledge, competerrcies, diplomdic
skills and innovative drive to promote the
Ministry's policies and objectives.
6. (t) The Deputv Chief Education-Officer.shalt be the *3;L"?*t
princrpal assistant to the Chief Education Officer and he - il;;..
(a) may deputise the Chief Education Officer in
offrcial functions;
(b) may act as Chief Education Officerwhere the
ChiefEducation Officer is unable to perform
his functions for whatever reason'
Q) A person shall nbt be appointed Deputy Chief
Fiucation Officer under subsection (l), unless he -
(a) possesses a Master's degpe in educationpr
related discipline from an accredited
universitY;
16 No.23 The BasicondseniorSecondaryMucation Act 2023
Technical
directorates
education
offices.
Ministry to
collaborate
with scmiautonomous
bodies.
(b) has at least 5 years'working experience as an
educator or educationist with a record of
excellent performance at a senior management
level;
(c) haq the knowledge, competencies, diplomatic
skills and irurovative drive to promote the
Ministry's policies and objectives.
7. (1) The Minister may, in consultation with the Public
Sector Reform Unit, establish such technical directorates, district
education offices and district or merge existing technical directorates
as he may consider necessary for the implementation of the
programmes and strategies of the Ministry, including -
(a) Partnerships and Financing Directorate;
(b) Educational Services and Programmes
Directorate;
(c) Schooi Quaiity Assurance, Monitoring and
Resource Directorate;
(d) Policy and Planning Directorate;
(e) Curriculum and Research Directorate; and
(0 Non-Fomral and Adult Education Directorate.
O) A technical directorate or district education office
established uader subsection (l) shall be headed by a Director or
Deputy Director, respectively
& The Ministry shall collaborate with semi-autonomous
bodies including -
(a) the WestAfrican Examinations Council, for
the purpose of conducting public
examinaticns and other assessments;
No.23 The Basic and Senior Seeordary Education Act 2A2l 17
(b) the Sierra Leone Teaching Serv-ice
Commission' in the management ofthe aflairs
of-tt'"t'"tt in order to improve their
professional status and economic wellbeing;
(c) the National Assessment Unit' for the
developmen! management and conduct of
*t"tt**" for eialuating the status of
leaming in schools'
PART III.ESTABLTSHL4ENT OF NATIONAL BOARD OF
EDUCATION
s. (t) rhere shall be a National noala if,!*":*: il*:Tl
**ioingora chairman, appointed- t1 1ne President' upon B6u"u1ioo.
recommendation from ti" lai'i*o and subject to the approval of
poiiu*"nt uod the fbtlowing other members-
(a) 'i representatives from faith'based
irrstitutions;
(b) a representative of the National Union of
Private Schools;
(c) Tlre Irirencial secretary or his representative'
not below the rank of Director;
(d) a representative of the National Council of
ParamorrntChieft;
(e) 'lt'r: Head oftheNational Office' WestAfrican
Exrmination Courcil or his representativg not
belorv the rank of Directoq
(0 iheChairman'TtrchingService?t'-Yi11
,rr his representative, not below the rail( ot
Director;
18 No. 23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Hucatton Act 2AZ3
(g) a representative of Crnferetrce of pr.incipals
ofSecondary Schools;
(h) a representarive of the National Council of
Head Teachers;
O The Cornmissioner, Persons with Disabili4/
Commission or his representative, not below
the rank ofDirector;
() a representajtive fiom Sierra Leone Ti:achers
Union;
(k) the Permanent Secretary, Ministry
responsible for local government or his
representative, not below the rank of
Director;
(T) 5 education and technical experts of whom
one shall be from each region, resident in
Sierra [,eone, as the Minister may appoilrt;
(m) The Chairman, Education Youth Advisory
Group;
A\ The Deputy Secretary shall serve as Secretary to the
Board and shall not have a voting right.
(3) A person shall not be appointed Chairman under
subsection (l), unless -
(a) he has demonstrable experience of the system
ofeducation in Sierra l"eone or of institutions
dealing or connected with matters relating to
the Sierra l,eone education system; or
I
No.23 The Basic and Senior SecondarY Hucation Act 2023 19
(b) his coutribution may be of significant
;;;;g" to the forrrulation and execution
ofnational policies on education'
,"01"9"*",,],"Jll,Xfi ffi :Xl'iffig[";H]".f'ffiT'H:[f; itfi
"
il#t"y,;;;ri" rt'" "mcitnt implementation t
;J#,h" overall performance of the Ministry"
8) Notwittrstandirg the generaliry of subsection (1) the
National Board of Education shall -
(a) "i:i:"i:,-*"r'T.ff :fflff ':il;":111:
inrcrvention;
o) ffiT##;:i3 3xH'Afft:"*"ffi;
sysrcm;
(c) i:*: .,T'#TX#:T#.,Tnrj*"ff;
gou.r..*"nt-assisted schools on foreign
pupils;
(d) advise o"r any matter affecting education ani
any cther matter in respect of *'hi-c\ the
lviinister is empowered to make Reglations
under this Act;
(e) adv;se on any other mafier referred to the
Natioml Board of Education by fte Minister'
t.t ,r," National Board shall hot advise on
"ratters for which other bodies have been
audrorised bY law to advise on"
X No.23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryEducatton Act 2023
Tehirre of
nrembers.
Meetings of
National
11. 0) A member of the National Board, other than an ex_
officio member, shall hold office for a period of3 years and shall be
eligible for re- appointnent for not more than r firrther term of 3 years.
(2) A person shall cease to be a member ofthe Board for
any ofthe following reasons:-
(a) for his inability to perform the functions of
his office by reason of infirmity of mind or
body;
O) for proven misconducl
(c) if he becomes banloupt or insolvent;
(d) if he is convicted and sentenced for an
offence involving fraud or dishonesty;
(e) if he fails to anend 3 consecutive meetings
of the Board without reasonable cause;
(0 if he resigns his office.
12" (l) The National Board shall meet for the discharge of its
business at least onc€ every 3 months and at such time and p'Ir"" *deemed necessary.
8) The Chairman shall preside atevery meeting of the
National Board, and in his absence, a member ofthe Nationar Board
elected amongst their nurnber shall preside.
(3) Aminimurn of9 members oftheNational Board may,
by notice in uniting signed by thenL request the ehairroar, to rurn*on
a special meeting ofthe National Board for such purposes as may be
stated in the notice.
(4) The Chairman shall summon a special meeting within
5 days of his receiptofthe notice referred to in subsection (:1.
tl
No.23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act 2023 2l
(, The quonrm at any meeting of the National Board
shall be 9.
(O The Chairrran shall have a casting vote where there is
an equalitY of votes'
CI A proposal circulated among all members and agted
to in writini by a tw;-thirds majority of all members shall be of the
same force or effect as a decision made at a duly constituted meeting
of the National Board and shall be incorporated in the minutes of the
r"" *""i"g ofdre National Board: Provided that' if a member requires
fir;;;;h ;t;posal be placed before a meeting of the National Boar4
this subsection shall not apply to such proposal'
(8) The National Board may cmpt a person to attend
and particiiate in its deliberations on ary matter but such person
shalinot uot" oo any issue for decision by tlre National Board'
(9) The National Board shall cause minutes of all is
meetings to'be taken and signed by the Chairman and the Secretary
and kept in proper hard and soft copy'
(10) Subject to this Act' the National Board shall regulate
its own procedure.
13.(1)AmemberoftheNationalBoardu,hohasanyinteres!Disclosureof
whether direct or indirect in any matter being considerei or t? qe interest'
considered by the National Board' shall disclose the nature of his
interesttotheNationalBoardandthedisclosureshallberecordedin
the minutes of the National Boaqd and such member shall not take
;; t" ;y deliberation or decision of the National Board relating to
that matter.
8> A member of the National Board who conaavqpes
subsection (t1 tnall be guilty of misconduct and shall be removed
fromtheNational Board.
2. No.23 The BasicandSeniorSecondarltEducation Act 2023
Immunity of
members.
Committecs of
National
14. (i) An action or other proceedings shall not lie or be
instiartedagainst a member of the National Board or member of a
committee ofthe National Board for or irr respect of any act or thing
done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise of his
functions under this Act.
@ A member ofthe National Board shall not be personally
liable for any debt or obligation of the Ministry.
15. The National Board may, for the discharge of its functions,
appoint one or more committees consisting ofmembers ofthe National
Board or non-members or both, to perform such functions and to
report to the National Board as the National Board may determine.
Remuneration 16. The Chairman and other members of the National Board
of members' and any person co-opted by the National Board under subsection (8)
of section 12 shall be paid such allowances i$ approved by the
Minister and shall be reimbursed by the Ministry for erpenses incurred
in connection with the discharge of their functions as the National
Board may, with the approval ofthe Ministeq determine.
Filling of
vacancies
17 . (l) Where fte Chairman or a mem@r ofthe National Board
dies, resigns, is removed from ofTice or is absent or is by reason of
illness unable to perform the functions ofhis office for 3 consecutive
meetings, in the case of -
(a) the Chairman, fhe members ofthe National
Board shall elect one of their number to act
as Chairrnan mtil such time as the Chairman
resumes his office or another is appointed in
his stead; and
@) a member, the Chairman shall arrange, subject
to this Act. to have another person appointed
to theNational Board-
No.23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Edacation Act 7023 B
8) Aperson appointed to fill a vacancy as Chainnan or
member, shall frold omce iiithe rcmainder ofthe term ofthe previous
Chairrnan or member, * m"t*" may be' and shall' subject to this
Acg be eligible for re- appoinunenL
PAKT IV - INCLUSIVE A}.TD EARLY CHTLDHOOD EDUCATION
18. (1) TUe systJm of format education for basic and senior Stages in
secondary schools 'i'uii u"-o'gu"ised in 4 progressive levels as :i;ffit:'
follows-
(a) 3 years ofpre-school education;
O) 6 yean of primary school education;
(c) 3 yearsofjuniorsecondaryschool education;
(d) i rr;IrlTrillig,-f xT;1*T
education in lieu thereof'
(2) Other higher and technical education services shall
be of,flered by the Mi"'?; responsible for Tbchnical and Higher
Education.
19. (1) Schools, including private thlots' shall be inclusive nadcat
and disability fii""dy,;;rJ;;i ir" *rr ar "hssrooms
and facilities inclusion'
are accessible to all categories of leamers'
(2) Pregnant girls' parent learners' children frgt't"
poorest to-#r, ;;;; and underserved communities shall be
allowed to ac""r,, '*fio "omplete s"hool and enjoy atl the facilities
provided in the school
(3) Special arrangements to.acc€ss education shall be
made for pupir, *itri"in[it'"ahh' autism spectrum disorder and
other related unseen disabitity and health issues'
Vl No23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryEducation Act 2OZ3
(4) This Act and all other instruments relating to
education in sierra Leone shalr be administered and interpretei in
such a manner as to ensure that there is no discrimination between
pupils in the matter of their admission to and reatment in educationar
institutions throughout Sierra Leone.
(5) Nothing in this section shall forbid or resrrict -
(a) pending clearance by the Minister, upon the
advice of professional stafi establishment
or maintenance of single-sex or co_
educational schools with comparable
facilities;
O) pending clearance by the Minister, upon the
advice of professional stafl establishment
or maintenance of faith-based institutions
whose philosophies and goals are in line with
the Constitution of Sierra Leone and the
object of this Act;
(d) discrimination between citizens and non_
citizens of Sierra Leone in the matter ofthe
provision of financial assistance for the
payment of school fees or the award of
scholarships.
(c) establishment or maintenance of private
educational institutions, if the purpose of
such institutions is not to secure the exclusion
of a group but to provide educational facilities
in addition to those provided bythe Ministry,
if the institutions are conducted in
accordance with that object and if the
education provided conforms with such
standards as may be laid dowr or approved
by the Minister for educational institutions
ofthe same level;
Seni or Seeondary Education Act 2A23 x
No.23 The Basic and
20. Nothing in ttris section shall prevent discrimination where
a group of pupils sf'ute a characteristic and by virtue of which -
Affirmative
action.
(a) that group suffers a disadvantage in
\-/ u"""riirrg ih" t'ot" quality ofeducation as
pupils who do not share that charactersuc:
or
rh) that sroup's participation in education is
\"r Jitptip",ii""*ly low: Provided that such
Jit"ti*i"utio, does not go beyond what is
reasonably necessary to ensure thal efoup
i^ "quutity ofoppornrnity in accessing and
cornPleting education'
21. 0) The Minister lrro| make such provision-for'tfe ;3;1iat nceas
education of children *itr, ,p."ia learning needs as the Ministry instihrtioos'
considers necessaq' or desirable'
(2) A parent, guardiarL head teacher or principal of a pupil
wi{h special learning n"3a' toy't"qtt"st the Ministry' tfuough the
Chief Education Ofrrceito mate'special arrangements for the
education of the "hii;, 'tatll g nly.t!e proposed special
affangements would U""ttft th-e child developmentally and
educationallY.
(3) The Ministr;* shall' through the Chief Education
Officer, within 30 days oi receiving an application for special
arrangements under subsection (2)' -
(a) aFP'ove the request
(b) refuse the request;
(c) variv the request and approve the variation'
or
(d) suggest an alternative special provision'
X No 23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Mucation Act zOZs
Earli
childhood
22. (l) Early childhood or pre-school education is critical for
optimising h,rnan capital and national development and children of
pre- school age in Siena Leone including poor children, orphaned
children and children with ttisabilities shall hive access to pre-frimary
@ Government shall support one year free compulsory
pre-school educatiorq when a child reaches the age of5 years.
(3) A school offering pre-school education shall, within
2 years afterthe coming into operation ofthisAcq -
(a) have at least one teacher present at all times
who has qualifications recognised by the
Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission
in pre- primarl, education;
O) be apprnved for that purpos€ and registered
with the Ministry; and
(c) maiutain pre-primary facilities separate &om
or on the grounds of a primary school.
(4) The Ministry shatt -
(a) provide coordination guidelines for line
ministries and other partners in providing
quality early childhood education services;
O) set up early childhood education
coordination mechanisrns at the national and
sub-national levels to facilitate
communication, synchronisation and
collaboration in planning, financing and
delivery of early childhood education
services;
t,
No 23 Tle Basic arul Senior Secondary Education AcI 2A23
(c) build and strengthen partnerships and
coliaboration for syrergr, including referral'
among early childhood education services
throulh different platforms in different
sectors;
(d) rnobilise adequate resources for improving
accessibility to quality early childhood
education services for young chil&en and
i-amilies, including capacrty building for
teachers by the Sierra Lrone Teaching Service
Commission.
(e) liaise u'ith the Ministry responsible for
Technical and Higher Education and Sierra
L.eorre Teaching Service Commission to
ensure that there is within Sierra Leone
faciiities for training teachers in pre-primary
education;
(t) direct the development of curricula for preprimalY school institrtions;
(g) set and monitor the standards of teaching in
pre-PrimarY school institutions;
(h) set and monitorttre standards ofthe facilities
il pre-primary school institutions;
(i) €tlstre that the required national health and
safety care and regrlar health checks are
coirdricted on pupils in pre-primary school
urstitutions, to guarantee early detection of
di-tabiliries.
X No.23 The BasicandseniorSecondaryE&tcation Act 2023
Obligations of
early
childhood
education
providers.
Basic
educatiorr.
23. (t) An institution established to deliver pre-primary
education shall follow guidelines for school approval established by
the Ministry.
G) A pre-primary school provider shali ensure that the
area in which the pre-school is located -
(a) has sufficient spaces in it to accommodate
the pupils; and
(b) meets appropriate health and safety
standards.
PARTV. STRUCTURE OF BASICAND SEMOR SECONDARY
EDUCATION
24. (l) Basic educarion shall consisr of I 2 years ofschooling
composed of 3 years pre-primary, 6 years primary and 3 yearsjunior
secondary and is designed to provide ail that is necessary for all
Sierra Leonean children to -
(a) be functionally literate and numerate and help
them to cuitivate the lorowledge, skills and
attitudes that will eventually enable them to
earn a good living;
(b) inculcate civic values including patriotism,
respectfulness; and
(c) enable children to begin to trnderstand the
complexities and opportunities of the modem
world-
. A) The purpose of basic education shall be to bring out
the acquisition of comprehension. computational thinking and
technological skills, creativi[,, crit;sai t-r:;eltitg and civics knowledge.
Secondary Education Act 2023 D
No.23 The BosicandSenior
2s. (1) Pre-primary antl primary education shall consist of - tJfilHil
(a) full-time formal schooling which children
receive for 9 years from about age3 ta 12
years; or
(b) a compreheusive three-year programme for
'over-age' ot$-of-school learners' offered by
the Directorate of Non-Formal and Adult
Education and parfirers in adult education'
8\ Pre-primary and primary schooling shall give children
early structural cross cultutal socialisation opportunities and an
elementary introduc'tion to those flrndamentals necessary to produce
individuals able, at a rudimentary level' to tmyove and enrich their
own circumstances and to contribute meaningfully to life in the
develoPment of their communiry"
26. 0) At the end of class 6' children in sovernment and National
government- assisted p'i**y School *a p'iuut" 'lf'oot' shall take 5:iffii'
the National s*urolruiio; *ni"t, .t utt be conducted by the \try'ss1 Examination'
A&ican Examinations Council or other approprixe examinAionbody'
8) The resutt ofthe l"iarional Primarl' School Examinati'on
including each schootr's contiruous assessment scores may be used
for placement in junior secondary schools'
(3) The Ministry may use a different national leaming
assessment other *ran the National Primary School Examination to
support traosition and placement into junior secondary school; in
which case, the Naiional Prilrary School Examination may be used
only for system-levei national assessments or replaced with other
appropriate school-level national assessmen8'
!
30 No.23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryEducatton Act ZOZ3
Junior
Secondary
School.
27. (1) Junior secondary schooling shall be for pupils who
have completed the six years of primary school or comprehensive
non-formal education course in Sierra Leone or its equivalent in other
coun8ies.
O The purpose ofjunior secondary school shall be to
provide a broad based, general education in preparation for senior
secondary school, technical and vocational education or for
employment or selfrmployment.
(3) Where a pupil comes from a country whose grading
system for entry into junior secondary school is different from fhat
ofthe Sierra Leone sptern, the chairman ofthe local council education
committee shall scrutinise the pupil's grades or transcript and strictly
follow guidelines provided by the Ministry to determine the correcr
placement of the pupil.
(4) Where the pupils previous schooling was in a place
where tle assessment system does not provide grades that could
be used as an equivalent, the Chairman shall. fcrllowing discussion
with the Deputy Director of Education in the riistrict, grznt approval
if he is satisfied that the pupil is competenr ro undertake studies at
the junior secondary level.
(5) A guidance counsellor may, where appropriate, be
attached to a school or clrcter of schools to -
(a) support and advise on rhe psychological,
academic and social development of
individual pupils;
O) help resolve minor conflicts between parties
and interesls in the school; and
No.23 The Basic and Se nior Secondary Education Act 2023 3l
(c) hetp pupils to resolve any other problems or
concerns;
(O The Minisry may set c€rtain subjects to be either
compulsory or oPtional'
28. (1) TheBasicEducationCertificateExamination shallbe Bfrli*."
conducted by westAfrican Examinations council or other approPnate certificate
examining body on behalf of the Minisory' at the end of the junior Education'
secondary school course or programme'
8) The Basic Education Certificate Examination shall be
tat<en ty pupif from all government' goverDment-assisted and private
junior ,""or,arty schools that have completed 3 years ofjunior
secondary school or its equivalent'
(3) The continuous assessment score of a candidate shall
form Part ofhis final grading'
Zg. 0) Senior secondary schooling shall be for pupils who senior
have completed the junior '""ondury school course in SL"a r-eone lifiSfq
or its equivalent in other counries'
@) The Ministry may determine conditions for entry into
government o, go,.'n*"nt-assisted senior secondary school
[rovided those conditions do not discriminate against pupils other
than on academic grounds'
(3) Where the Ministry has conditioned entry on pupils
having attained certain grades in examinations administered in Sie5ra
Leone, the Chief Education Officer may' on request' provide writen
upp*uut for a pupil who has completed his studies outside Sierra
Leone to attend senior secondary school'
n No23 The BasicandSeniorsecondaryEducation Act 2AZ3
(4) In giving wrifien approval under subsection (j). the
Chief Education Officer shall consider the grading system, if any,
employed in the counoy of the pupil's previous schooling and be
satisfied that the pupil has attained grades thal are the equivalent of
those determined by the Ministry.
(5) Where the pupifs previous schooling was in a place
where the assessment system does not provide grades that could
be used'as an equivalent, the Chief Education Offrcer shall grant
approval if satisfied that the pupil is competent to undertake studies
at the senior secondary level.
(O A senior secondary,school may have a counselling
deparhnent, responsible to -
(a) support the psychological, academic, and
social development of the pupils;
(b) advise pupils on subject options and career
pathways;
(c) help resolve minor conflicts between parties
and interests in the school;
(d) help pupils to resolve any other problems or
concerns;
(e) help to co-ordinate continuous assessment
matters.
A A counselling deparnnent may, where appropriate,
serve a cluster ofschools.
l,
No.23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act 2023 33
Types of
senior
sccondary
30. (1) The Ministry may designate a school to be either a
general secondary school or a specialist or technical or vocational
secondary schools"
A') A pupil who has passed the required Basic Education
Certificate Examinatior, and continuous assessment grades or
equivalent shall have the right of enrolrnent in a general secondary
(3) A pupil in a general secondary school shall offer a set
ofsubjects from among specialist, applied and every day subjects
according to his needs, interests and aspirations'
(4) The Ministry may set conditions for enrolment into
specialist secondary schools, such as technical and vocarional
education and mining schools, including Basic Education Certificate
Examination grades from those required for entry into general
secondary schools.
(5) A school that is desigmted a specialist secondary
school shall offbr a curriculum as may be determined by the Ministry'
(O The Ministry may set certain subjects to be eitlrer
compulsory or oPtional'
31'(l)Attheendoftheseniorsecondarvschoolcourse'WestAftican
pupils in governmelrt and govemrnent-assisted '"hool' and 1!ose Ulfi*t:r:*'
*i,t,ingtodoso&omprivateschools,shalitakettreWestAfricanExamination"
Senior School Certihcate Examination conducted bythe \VestAfrican
Examinations Council'
@ Apre-specified percentage of a West African Senior
School Certif,cate Examination frnal grade of a candidate shall come
from his continuous assessment scores'
!
Y No23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryEducation Act 2023
Non-formal
and lifelong
learning.
Continuing
Centres.
(3) Nothing in this section shall prevent a pupil in
Sovernment, govemment-assisted, private or international schools
from taking examinations conducted by other intemationally
recogrised examination bodies.
(4) A pupil who did three years oftechnical and vocational
education after Junior Secondary School shall take the National
vocational Qualification examination conducied by Nationar co,ncil
for Tirhnical, Vocational and other Academic Awarcls-
32. (l) A non-formal education is a planned programme of
education or instruction designed to improve a fimge of skills and
competences, outside education. The formai educational setting and
its purpose is to make education accessible to every citizen, in the
context of lifelong ofthe individual.
A) Non-formal education caters for out_of-school and
older children, youths and adults who may desire to emol i, the
formal school system or wish to pursue alternative pathwal,s after
completing formal education.
(3) The Directorate ofNon-Formal andAdult Education
shall provide the regulatory mechanisms for the proper conduct of
non-formal and adult education courses in Sierra Leone.
33. (l) The Directorate ofNon-Forrral and Adult Education
shall be responsible for overseeing adult literacy classes and
continuing education csntres throughout Sierra Leone.
(2) A Continuing Educarion Oenrre shall have a
management committee which shall assist in the running of the
Continuing Education Centre in accordance with laid down rules by
the Minisky. .
No" 23 The Basic and Senior SecondarY Fducation Act 2023 35
(3) A management commi$ee under subsection (2)' shall
be gender balanced and shall consist ofa chairman, appointed by
the proprietor t)r manager of the Continuing Education Centre'
upprou*a Uy the Ministry, and the following other members-
(a) a representative of tlie Directorate of Non-
Formal and Adult Education;
(b) 2 representatives of the donor agency
supporting the Continuing Education Centre;
(c) a representative of the community
leadershiP;
(d) a reprcsentative of the ward committee;
(e) an adult educator in the community;
(0 2 parents or guardians; and
G) a facilitator-
% No.23 The BasicandSeniorSecondary,&lucqtion Act ZAZ3
(4) The coordinator ofthe centre shall serve as secretary to
the management committee.
Functions of
Continuing
Centre
Managemcnt
Committee.
Tenure and
filling of
vacancies.
Non-Formal
Council.
34. A Continuing Education Cenlre management coillmittee
shall -
(a) oversee the running ofthe cen&e;
O) help to raise funds for the general
development of the centre;
(c) perform such other functions as it may
consider necessaD/ for the progress of the
centre.
35. (l) A member of a Continuing Education Centre
management committee shall serve for a term of 3 years and may be
eligible for reappointrneut for a firther term of 3 years only.
@ A Continuing Education Centre management
cornmittee member who is unable to perform his functions for
whatever reason shall be replaced.
36. 0) 'fhe Minister shall, not later than 90 days after the
coming into operation ofthisAct, constitute an advisory bodyto be
known as the Non- Formal Education Council"
8) TheNon-Fonnal EducationCouncil shall consistof-
(a) heads of the fcrllowing institutions and
agencies or their representatives -
(i) Sierra Leone National Commission of
[.Inited Nations Educational Scientific
and Cultural Organisation;
No.23 The BasicandSeniorSecondarylhucation Act 2023 Tl
(ii) United Nations DeveloPment
Programmc;
(iiD Sierra Leone Teaching Service
Commission;
(iv) Partners in Adult Education
C<nrdinatingOffrce;
(v) Sierra Leone Adult Education
Association;
(vi) Technical, Vocational Education and
Training division of the N{inistry
responsible for Technical and Higher
Education;
(vii) Division of Extra-Mural Studies,
UniversitY of Sierra Leone;
(viiii United Nations Children's Fund:
(ii) Sierra Leone Association of Non-
Governmental Organisations;
(x) National Cou*cil for Technicai.
Vocatiorral and other Academi c Awards ;
(xi) National Council ofParamount Chiefs;
(xii) National Organisationof Local Councils;
(b) 2 persons appointed by the Minister, one of
whom shall be a woman; and
(c) ChiefEducationOffEcer.
38 No.23 The BasicandseniorSecondaryEducation Act 2A23
(3) The Dircctor of Non-F'ormal and Adult Educati{m shall
serye a^s secretary and shall have no votirrg right.
(4) Thc members of the Non-Formal Education Council
shall" a1 their first sitting. elect one oftheir members as Chairman"
Functions of
Non-Formal
Council"
37" {l) The Non-Formal Education Councii shall, in
consultatioli with the Directt-rrate of Non-Fr:rmal and Adult F.ducation_
advise the Minister on any matfer pertinent to the rleveloprnent of
non-formal and adult education in Sierra Leone.
(2) The Non-Fonnal Education Council shall in addition
to its responsibility under subsection (l), -
(a) advise the f)irectorate of Non-Fonnal ancl
Adult Education in the developrnent of an
adult education curriculum ttat is responsil,e
to the needs of sociery;
(b) ensure that the adult education prograrunes
and courses provided in Sierra
Leone meet the needs and intercsts of the
trainees; and
(c) perfbrm such other functions as the Minister
maydirect.
38. A member of,the Non-Formal Education Council shall sen e
foi a temr of 3 years and shall be eligihle for reappoinlnent for a
further tenn of 3 years only.
39. (l) A memher ofthe Non-Formal Fducation Council who
is unable to perform his functions foi rvhatever reason rnay be
replaced.
(2) Where a persor) is elected as Chairman or appointed
as a member to fill a vacancy, he shali hold office forthe remainder of
the term of the previous Llhairman or member, as the case rnay be.
Tenure of
members.
Filling of
vacanctes.
No.23 'l'he Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act 2023 l9
40. (l)'Ihe members of the Non-Formal Educatr3n colcil ff::l'rTrT
shall meet at'least 3 times a year for the dispatch of business and at Education
such other tiutes as tbe Chairman may decide' Council'
@ The Chainnan shall preside af a meeting ofthe Clormcil
and in his ,hr.rr"" the mernbers shall appoint one of their mern'bers
to act as Chairman.
(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Non-F'orrnal
Educatron Council shall be one-third of the members'
(4t All mafters put to vote shalt be decided by a simple
majority of all menlbers piesent and where the votes are equal' the
Chairmanshall have a &xiting vot€'
(5) The Non-Formal Education Council shall regulate the
procedure of its meetings
4l.MenrbersoftheNon-FormalEducationCouncilmaybeRernuneration
given sitting attowarrces as the Minister rnay derrrmine' of membcrs'
PARI VI - SCHOOL C'OVERNAIICE
42. (l) A government or government-assisted prlmary 33d 'l'wo-ticr
secondary Systern of sctrool including t"***"y "a"*1i11 ;:t":ffi:"
uentres, ihutt h""" two.tier governancc; one to provrde overslgff
fun"tions and the other !o tranOte the day-to-day running of the
institttion-
(2) The oversight function shall be performed in
coniunction with the local ciuncil, Distnct Education Office' School
Managernent Conunittee, Centre Managemetrt Commiuee or Board
ofGoiernors, where applicable, andshall include -
(.a) monitoring and developing strategies to
improve the perfomance of the school or the
centre; and
(b) resorrce mobilisation for the benefit of the
school or centre.
N No.23 The BasicandseniorSecondaryEducation Act 2023
Comrnunity
'ltachers
Association.
(3) A head teacher, in the case of a primary school, or
centre cocrdinator, in the case of a community education centre or
pnncipal, in the case of a secondary school, shail have the prirnary
responsibility for the day-today adrninisration ofhh school or centre,
supported hy colleague teacherVfacilitators and other staff,
43. (1) A gor.emment or govemrnent-assisted school shall
have a community TeachersAssociation which shall promote greater
involvement ofcommunif mernbers in the affairs of the school.
(2) A Communiff'feachers Association shall determine
itr own leadership snuca'e and methorl ofopemtion, but shail always
work in the best interest of the pupils antl the school.
schoor 44. (l) A local council shall have a school Management
Management committee irr respect of government or governnrcnt-assistecl basicCommittec- education schools and shalr be responsible to assist in the
administration of that school in accordance with Regulations marie
under this Act and the Local Governme,r A*, 20zz (ActNo. 26 of
2022), including-
(a) overseeing the running of the schools;
Oi assisting in the drawing up of development
plans for the schools;
ic) helping to raisc funds f.rr the general
developrnent ofthe schools; and
(d) performing other functions as may be
directed by the local council or the District
Education Office.
(2) The composition ot a School Management Commil.tee
under subsection (l), shall be gender balanced and comprise the
tbllowing mernbers-
No.23 The Basic aad Senior Seconiary Educatian '4ct 2023 4l
(a) 3 proprielor's nominees' one of whom shall
be Chairman;
O) the head teacheq
(c) a representative of the School Quality
Assurance, Monitoring and Rcsource
Division of the MinistrY;
(e) the Chairman of the Commrutity Teachers
Association;
(0 a traditional ruler or elder of the village or
ar€a concemed;
(g) an educaror in the community'
(3) The head teacher shall sewe as s€cr€tary to the School
Managemcnt Comnittee and shall have no voting right'
(4) The School Managementcommittee shall meet once
every term or at such other times as may be specified by the local
council.
(5) One-third of the mcmbers shall constitute a quorum
for all meetings.
(6) The School Managemetrt Comminee may appoint
such sub-comnitt€es as it may consider necessary for the purposc
of carrying out its responsibilities under this Act'
45, (l) A School Manag€ment Committe€ member shall ssrve Tenure and
a term of 3 years and shatl be eligibte to serve a ftrther term of 3 ye't *H".":
only.
@ A member unable to perform his finrctiom for whatever
reasorr may be replactd.
(d) a representative trfthe local council;
Educatron 46. (1) A District Council shall have an Education Centre
tiillil*"rr"n, Management Comminee which shall superintend rhe administrarion
Cornmirtec. of the Education Ceutre including -
(a) overseeing the mnning of the centre;
42 No.23 The BasicantlseniorSeeondaryEducatton Act Z0Z3
(3) Where a person is appointed as Chairman or a r rember
trr fill a vacancy, he shall hold oflice for ttre remainder of the term of
the previous Chairman or member and shall be eligitrle for reappointnent.
O) assisting in the drawing up of development
plans for the centre;
(c) helping to raise funds for the general
development of dre centre; and
(d) perforrning other functions as may be
directed by the local council or the District
EducationOffice.
(?\ An Education Centre Management Committee under
subsection (l) shall be gender balarced and comprise rhe following
mernbers-
(a) the Education Centre coordinator cr manager;
O) a representajtive ofthe District Council;
(c) a representative ofthe major funding agency
of the Educatiorr Centre;
(d) a traditional ruler or elder of the 'rillage or
area concerned;
(e) a representative of the ward con'xnittee.
(D an educator in the community;
G) 2 parents or guardians; and
(h) ateacher.
No23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryEdacation Act 2023 43
(6) One-third of the members shall constitute a quorum.
47. (1) AnEducationCentreManagernentCommitteemember Tenure and
shall serve a term of 3 years and shall be eligible to serve a further fillins of
tenn of3 years only.
(3) The Education Centre Management Committee
members shall appoint one oftheir members as Chairman.
(4) The coordinator or manager of the Education Centre
shall serve as secretary to the committee and shall have no voting
right
(5) The Education Centre Management Committee shall
meet once every term or at such other times as may be specified by
the District Council.
8) A memberunablettoperform his functions forwhatever
reasonmay be replaced.
(3) Where a person is appointal as Chairman or a member
to fill a vacancy, he shall hold office for the remainder of the term of
the previous Chaimran or member and shall be eligible for reappoinunent.
@ Only one Board shall be established per school,
irrespectiveof whether the school has both junior and senior
secondary divisions and multiple shifts.
(3) A Board ofGovernors established under subsection
( I ) shall be a body corporate with perpeunl succession and a cornmon
seal.
48. (1) The Minister shall establish a Board of Governors in Board ot'
respect of a school, other than a pre-primary, primary or private Governors
4 No23 TTu BasicandSeniorSecondaryEducation Act 2023
Membership
of Board of
Govcrnors.
Functions
of the
49. (l) ABoardofGovemorsshallconsistof 13 to 15 mernbers
including the Chairman, andthe followingothermembers -
(a) 4 persons nominated by the proprietor ofthe
school one of whom shall be appointed
Chairman bY the Minister;
(b) 4 persons nominated by the Minister;
(c) The Chief Education Officer or'his
representative in the distict;
(d) The EducationSecretaryorhis representafive
. in the disnict;
(e) the District Deputy Director, Sierra Leone
Teaching Service Commission;
(D a local council representative &om the district
or city council);
G) a Chiefdom authority, where applicable;
(h) a representative ofthe old pupils' association
ofthe school, where applicable;
(0 the Chairman, of the Community Teachers
Association.
(2) The composition ofthe Board members must be gender
balanced.
50. (l) The Board of Governors shallbe responsible to -
(a) oversee the development and implernentation
ofthe School Improvement Plan;
No. 23 The Bdsic arul Se ior Seconfurv Education Act 2023 45
(b) hclp to raise funds for the general
development of the school;
(c) seek the welfare ofpupils and staft
(d) fix charges, where appropriatc, with the
approval of thc Minister;
(e) review and approve the school budget
prepared by the school administration;
(t) recommend io Sierra lrone Teaching Service
Commission suitabte candidates for the
positions of principal, vice principal and
senior teachers;
G) mediat€ or aftitrate in marers brought before
it by aggrieved pupils, parents or teachers;
(h) perform such other functions as may be
directed by the Minister.
@) The Minister may, where he considers it expodient,
authorise xhe establishment of one Board to service a cluster of
schools.
52. A member ofthe Board ofGovemors shall serve for a tenn Tenure of
of3 years and shall be eligible forreappoinEnent for a frrther tErm of Boord of
3 years only, but may sirve on tha ioard of Govemors of other covernors
schools at the expiration ofhis tenure.
53. (l) A member ofthe Board ofGovernors who is unable ritting ot
to perform his fimctions for whatever reason may be replaced. vacancics-
51, At least 50 percentofthe members ofthe Board ofGovemors Qualifications
shall have completei senior secondary school or its equivalent *d S"ff"*
have some management experiencr.
4 No.23 The BasicandseniorSecondaryMucation Act 2023
8) Where a person is appionted as Chairman or appointed as
a memberto fill avacanry, heshall holdoffice fortheremainderofthe
term of tlre previous Chairman or member, as the case may be.
Meetings of
54. (l) The Board of Governors shall meet at least once a
term or at such otlrer times as may be directed by the Minister.
(2) One+hird of the members, including the Depury
Director of Education in the district or his representative, shall
corstihrte a quorum for all meetings.
(3) The principal ofthe school shall serve uls secretary to
the Board and shall have no voting right.
55. TheBoardofGovernorsmayappointsuchsub-committees
as it may consider neccssary for the purpose of carrying out its
responsibilities under this Act including -
(a) StandingCommittee;
(b) Finance and DevelopmentCommittee;
(c) VisitationCommitee.
56. 0) A primary school in-which more than one teacher is
employed shall have a head teacher and a secondary school shall
have aprincipal.
(2) A head rcacher or principal shall be the administrative
and professional head of the school and shall be fully accountable
to his employers.
(3) A head teacher shall be assisted by a deputy head
teacher and senior teachers and a principal shall be assisted by a vice
principal and heads ofdepartnents or senior teachers.
of
Committees
School
adnrinisu'airyr.
No.23 Ttu Basic and Senior Secondary E&tcation Act 2023 47
s1" (l) The appointment of a head teacher, d"flY*i: fffiHSHf'
,*"lh"r, piincipat, vG principal-an$.senjor teachers shau be E o'omotions'
conformiry with tfr" Si"ttl f'"o'" Teaching Service Commission Act' '
A\ In the case of a private school' a head teacher or
principal iall be appointed by theproprietor or manager from amotrg
;;;d *ho huu" hi" t"q'iJitt piou* academic and professional
qualifications for the job'
(3) The rotation or upward mobility of a head teacher'
principal o, t.u"h.., in g*"*tn1 "*. government-assisted
schoots shall be in accordince with the Sierra Leone Teaching
Service Commission Act'
58. (1) A person shall not be employed as a permanent-full- ccrtificate
time teacher in u ,"flooi'*i*t tft" p""o' t'otas'u PPft:::fl Hl,:ffin
certificate and licence issued by the Sierra Leone Teaching servlce
Commission.
(2) Transfers, promotions' professional development'
,*p"orlon', "nO ait*istuiof teachers tttutt u" in accordance with
tfr"'Si"ou f."one Teaching Service Commission Regulations'
59. (1) A government, government-assisted school or Bank
communityeducation".'u"'r'urr-r'u*onebankaccountin0owhichaccounts.
shall be Paid-
(a) school subsidies:
(b) grants-in-aid;
(c) donations and other gifts &om a person or
authoriU;
(d) proceeds of income-generating school
activity; and
(e) other receivables'
48 No23 The BastcandseniorSecondaryFducation Act 2023
(2) A bank account under subsection (l), shall have 3
signatories who shall be, in the case of -
(a) a primary school, -
O the Chairman, Community Teachers
Association;
. 0, the head teacher, and
(i| the Chairman, School Management
Comrdtee-
(b) a secondary school, -
(i) the Chairman, Board ofGovernors;
Gi) the principat; and
GD the Chairman, Finance and Development Committee of the Board of
Govemors; and
(c) a community education c€nfie, _
(f the Chairman, Centre Management
Commitbe;
(if the coordinaiorormanager, Community
Education Cente;
GD a nominee of the funding partner.
No.23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act 2A23 I
Criteria for
approval to
establish a
PARTVII.ESTABLISHING AND OPERATING PRTVATE
SCHOOI,S
60. (t) A person shall not establish ot :P"tut".:-.f1T H3t"t'i#:l:
school untess tre satisfies the requirements and policy guldelrnes o! situice
;;;i upprouut, established by tue Ministry for operation and delivery
education service delivery. guidelines'
A) ,{n individuat or a group of persons or an institution
may establish, manage and operate a pre-primary' primary or
;;"dr"i school if they meet the criteria laid down in the
i"fry CtiA.[nes and relatedpolicies establishedbythe Ministry for
operation and education service delivery'
(3) A private educational institution shall be incorporated
as a legal Lotity *it well-structured administrative' fiduciary and
operational bodies.
(4) An individual or a group of persons or an institution
operating i' school in Sierra l'eo;' regardless of the ownership'
shall ensure that the school is safe and have a management and
workforce able to ensure the safety ofthechildrenundertheircare'
(5) An existing school that haslot applied for approval
shall tre ,"qui."a to ao s]o within 6 months after the coming into
operation of this Act'
6f. A proprietor and managerofa school forwhich approval
,o "ronfiJit sougt t shall be a fiiand proper person to be in charge
ofa school and shall
(a)1,1,i'#"1"*-ii";3,1i1ffii:Jrffi f&T;
with no criminal or tax evasion records' no
record of continuing major mental health
problems, no record of bankruptcy or
i*ot "n"Y i, ttt" Preceding five (5)
years;
$ No. 23 The Basic and Sentor Secondary Macatian Act 2A23
O) show proof of access to sufficient fimds to
establish and run an institution; and
(c) especially, in the case of the manager, show
evidence ofwork experience in education;
(d) make an affrmation thatthe establishment of
the proposed school would be in the public
interest and that the site selected for the
school is conducive for teaching and learning.
(e) show proof that at least 50 percent of the
teaching staffhas the requisite qualifications
in their subject areas;
(0 show evidence of sufficient financial
resources to -
(i) embark on and complere the school
construclion, as well as keep the school
operational for a period ofat least 3 ysar5
without financial support from the
Ministry, determined by the bank
statements of the proprietors which
should show an amount greater than the
estimated cost of constructing the
school;
(if indicate that the proposed school
buildings will be constructed srrictly in
accordance with. the school construction rules and standards of the
Ministry;
(g) esrablish rhat the school premises will have _
No. 23 Tlp Basic dnd Selior Secondary Mu'ation Act 2073 5l
(il adeouate and proper hygienic facilities'
inclusive of separate toilets for female
teachers and gfuls;
(ii) reading room facility or access to a
variety of reading materials, vid€o and
audio material to augnent learning; and
(O adequate r€creational space for the
children.
0- (l) 'fhe Ministy, in comultation with the-local council' Rffidinc
may rescind-or suspend an approval if it is proved tiat the- school t**t61n,-#aifo"a i" *uv. for which approval was initially granted' approval'
(2) If a school' to which approval has bee'gdd'.dT
not operaie'fully wirhin 2 years afler approval' the approvcl will
lapse.
63. 0) A person shall not coDstruct a school withoul unauthoriscd
"r,frJri*rii" ". "p"raie a school which has not been registet"a *i'tt ":fl"tlt!"
the Ministry or with r}e local cormcil ofthe area'
(2) A person who contrav€nes subsection (l) commits
an offence ancl is liable on summary conviction to a fme rot less than
Le J,OOO *a a a frmher fine not less than k 500 for every day
during which the school is operated'
6{. (l) Where ther€ is a change of ownership.:.f I :I-*" "t
sovernment- assistea o, priunte sr;trot'i' tJproprietor shalt' wilhin 3 o$'nership'
ironths. inf,rrm the MinisEy in writing of the change'
(2) Where the new ProPriebr is not a fitand proper person
or institiion to manage a sihool and does not satisry the
Iouir"r.rs o*r ir.a in Jtion 6 I for managing a school' the earlier
uf.,irouuf fot op"*tiog that school sh' l I be witlrdraun and the nunager
J'propri"to, ,t utt "eise to operate the school immediately'
9 No23 Thc BasicandSeniorSecondaryEdr*ation Act 2$23
(3) A manager or proprietor who contravenes subsection (Z),
commits an offence. and is liable on conviction to a fine of Le 10,000
or to imprisonment for a term not less than 6 months or to both such
fine and imprisonment.
Closure of
private
Petitions and
appeals.
65. (l) The Minster shall, on the advice of the locat council,
in the case of a basic education institution, order the closure of a
private school if-
(a) the school is not managed in the best interests
of the pupils attending the school; and
O) the continuing existence of the school is not
in the public interesr.
(2) Where a school is closed permanently, arrangements
shall be made for the pupils to be admitted into other schools with
available space.
6. (l) A parent or guardian, who suspec8 discrimination
that may affect the wellbeing oftheir child or rvard, may appeal to ttre
local council in the case of a basic education school or to the Minister
in the case ofa senior secondary school for rcdress.
(2) Where an appeal is made rurder subsection (l). the
education committee of the local council or the chief Education
Officer shall direct the manager or the proprietor, in uriting, to make
amends within 30 days and ifthe manager orproprietor fails to make
ttre amends within the stipulated period, the tocal council or the
Chief Education Officer may, as the case may be, order the closure of
the school.
(3) A manager or proprietor aggrieved by a decision of
the local council or the chief Education officer under subsection (2)
may appeal to the Minister and the Ministefs decision on the manei
shallbe final.
67. (i) A proprietor or mamger shall be deemed to have crircria for
tutfilled the SchoolApproval Criteria specificd under section.f t t !1"f1}.ff"*
order to qualiff to reciive govemment financial assistance' in th€ fi-nancial
case of a govemment-assistld school, if - assistancc'
(a) he is able to meet a minimum of20 percent of
ff ,HHTfi ff ;I :J*: :;HL:IfJ#: ::
assets;
(b) there is existence of a properly constiturcd
and functioning oversight bodY;
(c) there is availability ofan Intemet Technologl
room or access to Internet Technology
resources and equipment that would
iugment teaching and learning;
(d) there are adequate number of teachers for
the subjecs offered wittr a targeted optimum
pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio of 20 for prept*u.y, 40 forprimary and junior secondary
and 35 for senior secondary school;
No.23 Tlw Basic and 5rnis7 fucondaty Education Act 2A23 53
(e) there is evidence of a functional
administration including a School
Managcment Committee, or Board of
Governors and Community'l'eachers
Association that can properly manage the
school and funds provided by the Ministry'
PARI VIII - DECENTRALISATION OF BASIC EDUCATION
68. The Minister shall instihrte m€asures for the effective Basic
decentralisation of tlte **"*"-"* of basic education to the local ;ii*ti"
councils, in accordance with the provisions ofthe Local Ciovemment councils'
Act"2022.
g No 23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Macation Act Z[Zs
Local
Council
Comhittec.
Duties of
local councils.
69. (l) A local council shall establish an education committee.
(2) A local council education comnfttee established under
subsection (l) shall have no fewer than l0 and not mr)re than 15
members and at least halfofthe commiuee mernbers shall be members
ofthe local council.
(3) The Deputy Director of Education, Ministr,v of Basic
and Senior Secondary Education and ttre District Deputlr Director,
Sierra kone Teaching Service commission shall be members of the
local council education committee.
(, A local council, acting with or through its eclucation
committee, shall be responsible for advising the Minister generally
on any educational matterreferred to it.
(4) A person who is not a member of a local council may
be appoinrcd a member ofthe local council education committ€e ifh;
possesses knowledge and experience in education and is acquainted
with the educational conditions prevailing in the area for which the
commirEe is established.
(O A local council shall consider a report from its
education committee before exercisrng any of its functions with
respect to education in its area.
70. (l) A local council, acting with or through its education
committee, shall-
(a) establish, organise, develop and coutrol
education at pre-primary, primary, and junior
secondary schools, orcommunity education
centres within its area of authority;
O) allocate subventions to prearimary, primary
and junior secondary schools from funds
placed at its disposal or from its own
resources:
No.23 Thz fr."f,ic and Senior fucoadary Uucation Act 20?3 55
(c) manage school feeding progrtrtrm€s in its arca
of autlority;
(d) manage the use of the schools fianspofl
system for the benefit ofthe children;
(e) ensue that teaching and learning materials
distributed to the local council arejudiciously
utilised by the inteoded beneficiariesi
(D with cooperation from the Minis.ry and Siera
Leone Teaching Service ComtnissiorL en:ure
that efkctive teaching and leaming takes
place in its area of authoritY;
G) register and approve education providers
working in its area;
(t) advise the Minister generally uPon any
educztional matter referred to it.
PART D(.'f t{E SCH@L EI.IVTRONMENT
7f. (t) A leamirrgenvironment shallbe conducive; physically child-friendlv
and psychoiogically safi free from all forms of violence and abuse '"h*l'
and facilitates leaming.
(2) A government, govemment-assisted or private school
shall -
(a) be child-friendly, inclusive and actively
promoe gender-semitivity' tolerance, dignity
and Personal emPowcrment;
(b) provide basic disabled-friendly and genderfiiendly heahh and sanitation faciliti€s;
(c) provide spacious and well-ventilar€d class
noomsl
fi No23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryMucatirtn A*t Z{t23
(3) A member of the staffof a school or person engaged
to teach or support teaching at a school, shall not bully; hariss,
verbally abuse, physically abuse, sexuall3r abuse or exploit children
in his care.
(d) actively discourage discrirrination in all forms
and ernploy measures to eradicate it.
(4) Cyber bullying by a ueacher or school authoriry againsr
a pupil is prohibited.
(, Fupils and teachers shall dress appropriately,
according to tlre regulations of &e school.
Corporal
punishment !2. (I) Corporal punishment and ail ot}er forms ofdegrading
punistunent desigSred to cause, or cl€ate fear of physical pain in a
pupil, administered or tlreatened for the purposes of domination or
control are prohibited.
(2) A member of staffof a schorrl, or a person engaged to
teach or support teaching at a school, shall not adryrinister corporal
punishment to a pupil o{'that school.
(3) A person, including a rclative of,a pupil, shall not -
(a) administer corporal punishment to a pupil on
school grounds; or
(b) threaten a pupil with corporal punishment on
the school grounds.
(4) Alrernative forms of discipline including positive
methods rnay be employed for child development.
Pupil-on- 73. (!) Bu[ying, harassment, verbal abuse, physical abuse,
?l$1""., .,.. **d ubuse and exploitation ofa pupil by another puiitl profribited.
prohibitcd
t
No. 23 The Basic atd Senior Secondary Mucation Act 2023 5l
(2) Cyber bullying against peers or other pupils is
prohibited.
74. (l) Indisciplino-in schools constitutes a violation of the Indisciplinc
rules and
-regulations
of the school. bv ptpil or
(2) Saff indiscipline shall be addressed in accordance
with Sierra Leone Ti:aching Sewice CommissionAct and tlre Code of
Conduct for Teachers and other kiucational Personnel in Sierra
kone.
(3) A school shall provide, as part of its School
Improvement Plan, details on how it intends to address cases of
pupil or staffindiscipline during the school l'ear.
(4) Cases ofpupil or staffindiscipline shall be thoroughly
and fairly investigated before action is taken.
75. (l) The head ofthe school may, after a fair hearing bY o Suspensions
competent body, suspend a pupil or teacher from attending the school
for a period not less than a week.
(2) I-earning materials shatl be made available to the pupil
who is suspended from school under subsection (l).
(3) The head teacher shall report the suspension of a
pupil or teacher; in writing, to the Chairman of 6re School Managernent
Committee, or in the case of a secondary school, the principal shall
report the matter, in writing, to the Standing Committee ofthe Board
ofGovemors.
(4) A suspended pupil or a suspended staffmember shall
be informed in writing ofthe reasons tbr his su-spension.
(5) A pupil shall not be expelled from a school unless- on
the finding of the School Management Committee or the Board of
Governors' Sanding Committee, as the case may be. the pupil
is culpable of serious breaches of discipline'
and
expulsions.
N
58 . No.23 The BasicandseniorSecondary&lucatian Act 2OZl
(O An expelled pupil shall be infcnned in writing of the
reasons for his expulsion and copies ofthe letter ofexpulsion shall
be sent to the local council education committee and to the Deputy
Director of the Ministry in the district.
A Where a pupil is expelled fiorn a school, an appropriate
alternative school shall be identified for the pupil to continue his
(8) A teacher accused ofgrave indiscipline or professional
misconduct shall have his case referred to the Sierra Leone Teaching
Service Commission for necessary action.
Right of
appeal.
Aberrant
children.
76. (l) A suspended or expelled pupil has the right ofappeal
to the local council or the Chief Education Oftic€r, as the case may be,
within a week of receiving the letter of suspension or expulsion.
(2) The local council or Chief Education Oflicer may
auttrorise a competent body to re-investigate the matter and report
accordingly and communicate their findings to tre relevant authqrit):
(3) A suspended or expelled pupil, his pareilts antJ the
school authorities shall be informed ofthe final decision ofthe local
council orthe Chief Education Officer, as the case may be.
77. Childsen with behavioural problems as determined by the
school authorities may be handed over to the appropriafe agency for
care anil guidance.
78. (l) The Ministry responsible for heslth and sanitation in
conc€rt with other qualifieC health provider.s may authorise regular
school medical inspections !o promote the wellbeing ofthe children.
Q) The Minister shall make rules aliowing children who
are suffering from an infection or contagious disease which is likely,
in the opinion ofa Medical Officer, to be detrimental to the healttr of
other pupils, to be excluded from the school firr a specified period.
Sick
children.
No.23 The Basie ond Senior Secondary Education Act 2023 I
(3) First aid kits and a person tained in first aid shall be
available ior a sctroot or a cluster of schools-
(4) A chill who is sick or injured at school shall' with the
consent of his parents or guardian' be provided with medical services'
19. The Ministry shall, in collahoration with the Ministry schoot
responsible for housing and infrastructure, the local counci;' infrastructurc'
prcrprietors and partners, ensure that govemment and govermnentassisted schools trave ihe required infrastructure for effective
teaching. learning and recreation'
PART X- QUALITY CONTROL
80. (l) The Ministr] shall ensure that there is regular Qualit-v
collaboration among its various directorates and partners including assurancs
local authorities for effective monitoring of service delivery
in order to guarantee quaiity assurance and that the Ministry's
op*iou.. !'ria"tin",, sranaaras and goals are fonward-looking'
realistic and achievable'
(2) The Ministry shall take strirgent measures to curb
examination maipractices anrt other forms of malfeasance that are
likely to erode confidence in the school system'
81. (l) School Quality Assurance' Monitoring and Resource Monrtoring
ofliccrs ancl shall - x-----/ :lf.*;r'on
(a) make periodic visits to schools' observe and
take note of what is happening and offer
professional advice;
(b) ensure that the teaching and learning
resources provided are being properly rrsed;
(c) in collaboration with ttre school heads' insist
that teachers develop their scheme of work
and lesson Plans and obtain the
proper teaching aids;
& No.23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryMucation Act Z0Z3
(d) submit inspection data and information to
Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission
for regular" in-service training prograrnmes
for teachers;
(e) work with local authoritres and orher
monitoring bodies established bv the
Minister:
(D receive reports on the quality and quantity
of the teaching and learnrng rnaterials in the
sr:hools and make recomntendations to the
Chief Education Officer. as appropriate.
Q) Local councils, School Managers and proprietors shall
regularly visit their schools to make sure that effective ieachirrg arrd
leaming takes place and institute corrective rneasues as appropriate.
82. (l) Regular, stress-free evaluations shall be conducted
in order to provide information on whether individual pupils antJ
the system are making progress towards achieving learning goals.
A) School authorities shall ensure that evaluations are
pupil-friendly and do not impose unnecessary anxiery,on the leamers.
(3) the Minisrry shall develop a fernplate for rhe intemal
assessment of pupils at various stages in all governnent and
government-assisted schools nationwide.
Assessmcnts.
(4) Continuours assessment of primary level pupils shall
be carried out in primary schools along the iines given to schools by
the Ministry in a continuous assessment handbook, and continuous
assessment scores shall be employed in the manner
stipulated in that handbook.
(5) Teachers shall be exposed to innovative ways of
assessment, includingthe testing ofthe critical and creative thinking
skills ofpupils,
No.23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryEducation Act 2023 6l
(6) Pupils, particulariy those at the senior secondary level,
may be given an opportunity to periodically eyaluate their teachers
through standardised procedures.
(7) Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission shall
conduct regular appraisal ofteachers and school authorities'
(8) The Minister may. in consultation rvith the local
councils. determine and publish minimum national standards for
basic ahd senior secotrdarl'schools, and reserve the riglrt to order a
school that does not adhere to such standards to cease
operatiotts.
83" (l) The Minisrrl, shall provide a national cuniculum aI!JrX,'#ffir,
rrse in all government and government-assisted schoOls throughout and rerieu,
Sierra Leone.
12) Private schools may also use the national curriculum
(3) The Minisury shall -
(a) ensure that the national curriculum is
available in g<lvcmtnent and govemmentassisted sc:hools together with the requisite
teaching and leaming materials, including
textbooks and readers;
(b) authorise the periodic review of the national
curriculum:
(c) in collaboration with Sierra Leone Teaching
Service Commission anC teacher education
entities. organise training workshops for
teachers and other education providers on
the proper use ofthe syllabuses and related
teaching resources;
62 No. 23 The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act ZOZ3
(d) on the advice of relevant partners and
stakeholders, introduce new subjccts into the
education system.
PART XI - MODE OF INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOI-S
84. (l) English is the mode of instruction in all government
and government-assisted schools.
g In the early years ofschooling (3-8 years;, the use of
a local or community language as medium ol' instruction shall be
allowed.
(3) The Ministry is committed to the teaching of glcbal
languages which will be encouraged.
(4) Innovarion and technolory lpplication in teaching
and learning . including hands-on learning and pro.iecr-based
instruction shall be encouraged aud actively purcued.
PAI{I XI I. SCHOOL LIBRARIES
85" (l) A school shall endeavour to establish and maintain a
well- equipped library fbr the use oithe pupils and teachers.
(2) Where a separatc room for a library is not available,
library books can be made available in classroorns and other
appropriate locatitrns iri the school.
(3) Where possible, school libraries may be opened beyond
normal schooi hours.
( ) The Sierra Leone Library Roard shall, through its
regional and district officers, and with the cooperatiolr of loca!
councils and other partners, assist in soqrcing relevant
reading materials arrd other educational resources for pupils and
teachers.
Enghsh is
Medium of
instruction.
Sr>hool
librarics
arrd Senior Secondary Education Act 2023 63
No.23 T'he Basic
(5) F.ffiorts shall be made to create digital libraries and
provide ini"*"t and computer facilities in schools'
PART XI II . I.RAUD AND CORRUPTION
86. (l) The Ministry shall not entertain fraud or corrupt ::?lr1l^
practice in any educational institution'
(2) Fraud and other oomrpt practices in an educational
institution are Prohibited'
(3) The Ministry strall' in collaboration with Anti-
Corruption Coorni,,ion, West efrican Examinations Council' the
p"fi." *a civil society organisations'!t".Y"* or prosecute corrupt
irooi""t in edticational institutions including -'
(a) misapproprialion of school funds;
O) flouting procurement rules and guidelines
with intent to defraudl
(c) nepotisminhiring'bribery andweakfinancial
controls;
(d) moncy, goods and serviccs for gpdes;
(e) examinationrnalPractices;
(D inflating schooi enrolment figures and
candidale numbem'
8?.(l)Aschoolshallkeepanaccurateandup-to-dateregisterMaintaininq
otpupils eruolled in the school inclr-rcling u
"*'d of th" oo*" ofth" :fi::l"
puprl, the enrolment J'o' pttto' who has primary care of the pupil
una m. arJdress of the PuPil'
r
A No.23 The BasicandseniorSecondarvEducation Act 2023
@ A register under subsection (l), shall be supplied to
the Ministry at the beginning of the school year, or when entry into
t]rc lintyear ofa level, (primary, Junior Secondary School*U {"nioi
Secondary School) is completed.
(3) A school shall inform the Minister of a pupil whose
name is on the register br:t does not attend school fcr i,ore than 4
weeks within a 3 montl period and ofany new entrants to the school.
(4) A proprietor, School Manager, head teacher, principal
or staff member of a school, knowing that a pupii is not eru.olteO,
shall not add the nane of such p.oorito the register.
(5) Aproprietor, School Manager, head teacher, principal
or staff who contravenes subsection (4) commits a, offerc" anj is
Iiable on conviction, to a fine ofnot lessthan I"," 1"000 for each name
so falsely recorded as enrolled.
(6) A proprietor, School Manager, head teacher or
principal who causes a staffmember to add ti" ,u*" of a pupil not
enrolled in the school to the register in violation ofsubsecrron (4)
commits an oflence anri is liable on conviction, to a rrne of not iess
than Le 3,000 for eaclr name so falsely recorded as enrolled.
(7) A parcnt or guardian is obliged to irnmediately intbne
school heads rhat he wishes to transfer oiwithdrarv his chird ttcxu
the school and obtain a transfer certificate from the schoor thal his
child was attending.
(8) nre head of a school shall, on receiving a transfer case,
insistthat the pupil presents a transfer certificate b"erbre adrnitting
the transferredchild.
(9) A proprietor, school manager, head teacher or principal
of a school who does not inform the Minister that a pupil is no longer
enrolled in the school within 45 days of that pupil-ceasing to-fe
enrolled, shall be fined not less than Le 5,000.
i'
.
No.23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryEducation Act 2023 65
pARrxrv-EQUALITY OF OPPOKIUNITY IN TIIL]WORK
PLACE
88. (l) The Ministry isfullycommittedto genderequif and Genrler
gender mainstreaming shall be integrated into the policies, equit'v
progralnmes and activities of the Ministry in schools and other
education centres.
(2) Affirmative action may be taken to accelerate, through
appropriate training programmes, the upv;ard mobility ofwomen for
senior rnanagement levels in the lv1inistry.
89. Staff in the Ministry with special needs or physical Staff with
disabiliry constraints shall be supported and assured oftheir safely. sPecia! need5'
90. tsullying, hai'assment. verbal, emotional or physicai abuse'
sexual abuse or e>ploitation in the Ministry is prohibited-
PART XV. EIUERGENCIESAND INFEC]TIOUS DISEASE
OUTBREAKS
91" (l) The Minister shali, on the advtce of relevant bodies,
authorise the temporary closure of schools nationrvide or in areas
adversely affected Lry political disturbances" infectious diseases, or
srmilar disasters.
(2) In the case of epidemics and pandemics, mass
vaccinatitnof pupils and otlter pre'rentive measures may be
instiruted by the government in schools.
(3) On the advice ofa Medical Officer, certain sick chilCren
may be isolated.
(4) The Ministry shall ensure that pupils continue to access
education during inGctious disease outbreals and other emergencies
through distance and remedial leaming via the radio, television anrl
other acc.essible modcm technologies.
Zero
tolerance
to
harassrnent.
etc.
Measures
lo be taken.
I
{
6 No.23 The BasicandSeniorSeconda4'Education Act 2A23
Responsibility
of parenl or
guardian.
Emergency
Task Force"
92. A parent or guardian shall ensure that his child or ward
makes reasonable use ofthe teactr-ing and leaming facilities provided
by the Ministry during infectious disease outbreaks antl other
enlergencies.
93. (l) The Ministry, together with other ministries,
departments, agencies and parlners, shall enhance its emergency
prevention, preparedness, and response strafegies b:, creating a
pennanent structure to be known as Emergency Education Task
Force, with focal persons in each district.
t
@ A Task Force under subsection (l) shall be charged
with the following activities -
(a) emergency prevention and response;
(b) coordination and monitcring;
(c) school safety, and
(d) environmental safeqv
PART XV I - E DUCATION MANAGEMEN T IN I.'OKIVIA I ION
SYSTEI*I
D1l" 94. (l) The regular coltection of accurare dara and analysis
illtffi,, across all levels in the erlucation sector increases the Ministry's ability
to make infonned decisions and apprrrpriate response actions on
long term planning,budgeting and to respond appropriately to crisis
situations.
(2) The Education Management Information Sysrem of
the Ministry shall track key performance indicators including teacher e
and pupil attendance, the status of facilities in the schonls, the
functionaliry of the school clubs, parent-teacher committees, school
feeding, enrolment, etc. >
No" 23 The Basic and Se.nior Secondary Education Act 2023 67
(3) 'the Ministry's data hub shall serve as a tool to
support decision-making tltrough an eviderce-based and datadriven
il;;;t for research, iJotm"J policy' planning and evaluation of
interventions across schools.
(4) A private, non-govelrlmental or charitable edrrcatiornl
institution shall be mandated 1o submit reliable and regular data'
includingthe,\nnua!SchoolCensus,onalltheiredrtcationalfacilities
and resolces to the Ministry when requested to do so and tbilure to
ao ,o tnoy lead to withdrawal of licence to operate t'he school'
95. (l) A pupit shall have a National Identification Number il:l:'lX'",",,
provrded by the National Civil Registration Authority and a Untque Numbers'
Learner Identification issued by the Minisbry which shall be used to
track pupils and provide other reliable information on them'
(2) A pupil's data may be shared only in accordance with
other laws guiding on personal data and information sharing'
PART XVII.EDIJCATION YOUTH ADVISORY GROUP
96.(1)TheMtnistershallestablishanEducationYoutlrFormation
Advisory Group composed of pupils and other young people to ilr.o,ion
advise him on matters pertinent to their welfare and interests' niii"r,
A) The composition and other functions ofthe Education Group
Youth Advisory Group may be determined by the Minister'
(3) The Education Youth Advisory Group shall have
representaiion from every district, be genderbalanced' and include
children with sPecial needs.
(
,
G No.23 The BasicandSeniorSecondaryEducation Act 2023
Partnerships
PAKI XVIII - PARTT\ERSHIPS
97. (l) Partnerships are essential for achievingthe goals and
objectives of the lvlinistry and the Ministry shall continue to
strengthen its relations with parents and caregivers, proprietors of
schools, civil society organisations, the private sector', Ministries,
Departments aud Agencies, nat!onal and international nongovemmental organisations, external donors. semi-autonomous
bodies of tlre Ministry, protective service delivcry agencies and old
pupils' associations.
8) The coordination desk at the Ministry', t'hose mandate
is tc (brge healthy relationships with and ov€rsce the work of
educirtion partners, shall be fully capacirated to eflectively cany out
its fuqctions.
PART X]x . MISCELI.,AN EO{JS
\ry
General
Penaiiy.
Regulatlons
Repeal and
Savrngs"
98. A person who comrnits an ollence under this Act for which
a penalty has not been prescribcd is liable on sunrmary conviction to
a f,rnc not less than Le I 0,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term not less
than I year or to both suctr ltne and imprisonment.
99. The Minlster may by statutory instrument make rcgulations
as he may consider necessary or expedient for giving eftbct to this
Act.
Check the current official version before relying on this text. MiLAWYER shares legal information, not legal advice.