Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, the European Union and the United Nations World Food Programme have launched a two-year initiative to strengthen oversight of the National School Feeding Programme.

The €2 million programme was officially launched on Monday, 9 November 2026, during an inception meeting at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. It is intended to improve monitoring and evaluation, data quality, reporting, digital information systems and institutional capacity.

The initiative is expected to contribute to improved school feeding services for more than one million children across the country. The programme is being implemented as the Government expands school feeding, which is described as an important part of Sierra Leone’s education and social protection agenda.

Improving information and accountability

Existing monitoring arrangements rely considerably on manual reporting and fragmented data-collection systems. These conditions can make it difficult to obtain comprehensive and timely information for planning and decision-making.

The new intervention will support the Government’s ability to collect, analyse and use reliable information in managing school feeding activities nationwide. It will also strengthen data-quality assurance, reporting procedures and digital monitoring systems.

Open Data Kit and School Connect are among the technology solutions planned for deployment. According to the initiative’s plans, the tools will support real-time information gathering and improve data management.

Personnel responsible for collecting, verifying, analysing and reporting programme information will receive capacity development. The initiative will also promote common reporting standards and stronger institutional systems, with a focus on Government ownership and long-term sustainability.

Conrad Sackey, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, said improved monitoring would help officials assess the programme and address gaps.

“Strengthening our monitoring and evaluation system will enable us to better understand what is working, identify gaps and ensure that resources reach the children and schools that need them,” Sackey said. “This initiative will help us make decisions based on reliable evidence and strengthen accountability across the programme.”

EU and WFP roles

Abdul Deen Sesay, representing the European Union, said the EU would provide €2 million to WFP to support improvements to the School Feeding Secretariat’s monitoring and evaluation system.

“The European Union is pleased to support this initiative through the provision of Euros 2 million to the WFP to strengthen the M & E system of the School Feeding Secretariat in terms of improving the tools, processes, capacity and information system that enables more effective management and oversight of the school feeding programme,” Sesay said.

WFP will provide technical assistance and work with Government institutions and development partners to establish a coordinated monitoring and evaluation framework. Andrew Odero, WFP Representative and Country Director, said the approach would combine digital tools, common standards, field-level capacity building and community participation.

“This initiative will support the Government in developing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system for the National school feeding programme, bringing together common standards, digital monitoring tools, stronger field-level capacity and mechanisms for community feedback,” Odero said.

The initiative will include feedback mechanisms involving parents, school authorities and local stakeholders. The inception meeting allowed participating institutions to review the proposed monitoring and evaluation framework, clarify responsibilities and identify immediate implementation priorities.