Research presented at the African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific Conference held at Victoria University, Melbourne, 2-4 December 2010.

1. Improving Rural Education in Sierra Leone: Understanding the Role of Small Scale Solar Power Installations and ICT Interventions Paul Munro University of Melbourne Amé Christiansen Victoria University

2. Presentation Overview Research Methodology History of Education in Sierra Leone Contemporary Education Challenges in Sierra Leone EFO’s strategy and installations The impacts of EFO’s work Future Considerations Photo: Kamabai School, Bombali District, Sierra Leone

3. Methodology Literature Review Education policy documents and articles. Quantitative Education data collection and (preliminary) analysis. Qualitative 8 Semi-Structured Interviews. 3 principals, 2 teachers, 1 school inspector, 1 student, and the District Education Director. 6 Focus Groups. 39 youth participants (Junior and Senior students; also young people not currently attending school). Photo: St Martin’s Orphanage, Port Loko

4. History of Education in Sierra Leone Colonialism Elite Education “The Athens of Africa” Independence Patrimonial Rule State Decline President Joseph SaiduMomoh “Education is a privilege, not a right” (1988) Civil Conflict (1991-2001) Photo: Fourah Bay College (University of Sierra Leone)

5. Contemporary Issues 39% adult literacy. 55.2% never completed Junior Secondary School. 45.8% youth unemployment. 70.2% below the poverty line. 2010 Human Development Index Ranking: 158 / 169 countries. Photo: DembeliaSinkuniaKoinadugu District

7. Untrained and unqualified teachers

8. Post-war reconstruction of infrastructure

9. 30% Increase in enrolments in the lead up to 2015 (EFA and MDG)

10. Gross gender disparities

11. Geographic parity: urban/rural divide

12. Finance deficits at both government and household level

13. Availability of necessary teaching and learning materials and resources

14. Monitoring and evaluation for accountabilitySource: Education Sector Plan 2007-2015 GoSL

15. Why Solar Power and ICT? ICT is an enabler of human capital Human capital decreases unemployment Employment reduces poverty 2% electrification in rural areas Kerosene and candles Poor quality of lighting Significant expense Hazardous Photo: Partnership Project EFO, EWB and Princeton

16. Education Programme Strategy Phase I Solar System installation- Lights Phase II ICT Installation- Computer/s and internet Photo: Kamakwie classroom

17. Bombali District Kamakwie Senior Secondary Phase I completed Feb 2010 Phase II completed May 2010 Kamabai Senior Secondary Phase I completed Sept 2010 Phase II AusAID funding Gbendembu Senior Secondary Phase I AusAID funding Photo: Independent Panels for study Lights Kamabai CCS allow for rent to buy

18. Results: Performance Data – WASSCE (university entry) Kamakwie 2009 - 5+ credits (2.1%) - 4+ credits (4.2%) 2010 - 5+ credits (2.75%), - 4+ credits (6.5%). Baseline Data Kamabai 2010 - 4+ credits (0%) Gbendembu 2010 – 4+ credits (2.3%) Studying at Night in Kamakwie Other: Bombali Urban 2010 - 5+ credits (4.5%) - 4+ credits (9.5%) Sierra Leone (Freetown/Bo Bias) 2010 - 5+ credits (14%)

19. Results: Performance Data – BECE (Senior School Entry)

20. Benefits identified at four distinct levels: System Institution Family Student In four distinct Categories: Financial Administrative Safety/Security Academic Results: Qualitative Analysis Photo: Developing computer-based courseware at Kamakwie

22. Untrained and unqualified teachers

23. Post war reconstruction of infrastructure

24. 30% Increase in enrolments in the lead up to 2015 (EFA and MDG)

25. Gross gender disparities

26. Geographic parity: urban/rural divide

27. Finance deficits at both government and household level

28. Availability of necessary teaching and learning materials and resources

30. Increased teacher preparation time

31. Computer knowledge = relevant workplace skills

33. Increased hours during which classes could be held

34. Increased class flexibility

36. Attracting Teachers

37. Perception of quality

38. Saved School Expenditure

39. Revenue Raising

40. Saved Teacher Income

41. Saved Household Income

42. Computer based and online materials

43. Increased textbook accessPhoto: Idrissa completing the wiring at Kamabai Senior Secondary School

44. We don’t have money to buy kerosene and moreover we have to feed (eat) and without food we cant study so the income that we usually put into light I spend on food and textbooks Daniel K Amen (Senior student Kamakwie)

45. “Immense, immense, immensely improved the status of the school for one. And even the academic part will actually gradually improve. We have bad results in the school. With the solar system, children will come in to study, teachers of course, using whatever equipment we have, especially computers if we have the opportunity to have them, will help the children to have more materials to study” (Jnr School Principal Kamabai)

46. Photo: Example of charges for computer services and course program at Orphfund Village in Kamakwie EFO/ FreeCollective/ Orphfund project

47. Gender Disparity in Enrolments

48. Lessons and Additional Considerations Accountability where school’s increase revenue as a result of our projects Online Security Offline Education Resources- Preloaded Hard drives and USB Targeting gender disparity with EFO interventions

49. Thank You For Listening