In November 2024, a pilot programme introducing structured career counselling in senior secondary schools was launched in Sierra Leone to support young people in finding meaningful and realistic career paths. The initiative is a collaboration between the local organisation Skool Grind, and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE). The pilot aims to drive systemic change by helping students navigate the challenging transition from school to adulthood in a context marked by limited opportunities and a highly constrained job market.
As part of the pilot, trained career counsellors have been placed in three senior secondary schools in Freetown - Prince of Wales School, Ahmadiyya Secondary School, and Services Secondary School - reaching approximately 1,100 students. Students aged 16 to 21 participate in a progressive counselling model, meeting individually with a counsellor three times per academic year. Each session is digitally documented, ensuring continuity in guidance and generating valuable data on student aspirations, challenges, and decision-making over time.
Beyond individual support, the pilot is designed to generate insights that can inform education policy and workforce planning at the national level. Building on early learnings and strong collaboration with schools and authorities, the project expanded in May 2026 to include three additional senior secondary schools: Annie Walsh Memorial School, Vine Memorial Secondary School, and Albert Academy. The programme now caters to 2,000 students.
The first two are all-girls schools, which will help strengthen support for girls in making more informed decisions about their futures. This expansion marks an important step towards scaling an evidence-based career counselling model that strengthens human capital development in Sierra Leone.
Download: Pilot in Sierra Leone – Data Report (June 2025, PDF)
Here is Philip Kanu, a counsellor at Services Secondary School, explaining why school career counselling goes beyond simply helping each student find their future career path. It’s about empowering students to overcome obstacles, find their voice, and feel valued: