Education to war affected children

For IBIS, education is a human right and it is a vital tool towards achieving development, especially in postconflict societies. Therefore, IBIS in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) are giving hope to war affected children within the shattered infrastructure of Sierra Leone through the Complementary Rapid Education for Primary Schools (CREPS). The programme is providing a complete primary school education in three years to over-aged children who missed school because of the civil war. The programme also trains teachers in student-centred teaching methods and provides for their training through the Distance Education Programme.

The EU and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) are sponsoring the programme, which is implemented in Kono District, the diamond mining centre of Sierra Leone. In this way CREPS contributes directly to development and rehabilitation of this war-torn area.

What does IBIS do through the CREPS Programme?
• Provides primary education for children aged 11-18 years.
• Students receive training in life-skills including gender equity, health and sexual education.
• Provides professional training of teachers in the Kono district including ’one-on-one’ coaching.
• Provides training in managerial skills to community members and School Management Committees.
• Supports District, Local Councils and the Department of Education to collect, store, and use
educational data.