The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), in partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), has launched findings from the Building Foundational Learning Through Technology (BFLTT) project. This initiative aims to enhance literacy and numeracy among Class 1–3 students through digital learning tools.
Implemented in Pujehun, one of Sierra Leone’s most marginalised districts, where 83.6% of residents live in multidimensional poverty, the project ran from October 2023 to July 2024 across 24 schools. Led by VSO in collaboration with EdTech Hub and funded by the Hempel Foundation, the initiative leveraged technology to improve educational outcomes.
Students engaged with the onebillion onecourse software through various models, including individual tablet use per student. The project’s impact was significant:
4,501 students benefited, including 2,473 girls, 2,028 boys, and 24 students with disabilities.
1,056 community members were engaged, comprising 484 women, 572 men, and 30 persons with disabilities.
125 teachers (45 female, 80 male) received training to implement the intervention effectively.
Findings indicate that technology significantly improved student learning outcomes, particularly literacy and numeracy. However, the results also highlighted the need for continuous teacher training to effectively integrate digital tools into lesson delivery.
The initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to advancing education through innovative solutions, ensuring that children in underserved communities access quality learning resources. MBSSE and VSO reaffirmed their dedication to scaling up digital learning programs to further bridge educational gaps across Sierra Leone.
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