Conflict Analysis Summary: Sierra Leone
This report summarizes findings from a situation analysis undertaken as part of the UNICEF Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy (PBEA) programme, funded by the Government of the Netherlands. The purpose of the research was to examine the role of education in consolidating peace in Sierra Leone and provide a robust, comprehensive and systematic situation analysis as a basis for country-specific education programming. The situation analysis began with a mapping of conflict analyses and other key peacebuilding documents. Subsequently, workshops were held with stakeholders in the capital city of Freetown and in Bo, Kono, Port Loko and Pujehun to capture geographical variations in experience and perception of conflict dynamics as well as to identify peacebuilding recommendations. Information was also gathered from consultations with conflict, peace and security specialists, and focus group discussions with children and youth across the country.
Prior to the conflict, the poor quality of education service provision had a key role in fostering individual grievances and undermining state-society relations. The collapse of the education system at the onset of the war resulted in school closures, absent or unpaid teachers and widespread strikes. As teachers expressed their feelings of being neglected and abused by the Government, young people also felt excluded and angry, increasing their likelihood to be mobilized into violent action or recruited into armed groups. Limited access to education led to high rates of illiteracy and fewer opportunities for developing values conducive to peace, which further contributed to social disintegration. Peacebuilding entry points in education and learning:
- Support curriculum reform;
- Strengthen education programmes for teachers;
- Develop stronger cross-sector partnerships;
- Improve equity of service delivery;
- Strengthen localized planning;
- Provide educational programmes that aim to reach mothers and young children;
- Provide educational opportunities for out-of-school youth; and
- Reduce violence in schools.