FREETOWN, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The government of Sierra Leone, with support from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), on Friday concluded a two-day Strategic Workshop on Blended and Innovative Financing for Education to expand investment in the education sector and improve learning opportunities for children.
The workshop is expected to help identify practical solutions to strengthen foundational learning, support underserved communities and enhance the resilience of education systems against climate-related shocks.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Thursday, UNICEF Representative Liv Elin Indreiten said Sierra Leone's substantial allocation to education reflects the government's commitment to human capital development.
"This workshop is about building on that commitment by identifying realistic and achievable options for long-term investment in children and young people. Education financing is ultimately about children's rights and children's futures," she said.
Sierra Leone has made notable progress through the Free Quality School Education Program and the Education Sector Plan 2022-2026, which prioritize learning, inclusion and system resilience. However, officials noted that fiscal pressures continue to affect the sector's ability to sustain and expand gains.
According to UNICEF's education budget analysis, education accounts for 13.5 percent of the national budget in 2026 when debt servicing is included, while public debt servicing is projected to consume 29 percent of government expenditure, limiting available resources for education investment.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in developing sustainable education financing models that deliver results for every child, particularly the most vulnerable. ■
