By: Hope Times News Desk
In a significant boost to educational development and youth empowerment in eastern Sierra Leone, the Ibrahim Brima Swarray (IBS) Foundation has announced the launch of the 6th Edition of its highly anticipated Free Summer School Programme, reaffirming its commitment to supporting learning opportunities for children across Kenema and its surrounding communities.
The initiative, which has become a hallmark of the Foundation’s community outreach efforts, will be held under the theme, “Empowering Minds, Transforming Future Leaders.” The programme seeks to strengthen academic performance, promote personal development, and provide meaningful educational engagement for school-going children during the long vacation period.
According to the Foundation, registration for the programme will commence on June 15 and continue through July 10, 2026. Classes are scheduled to begin on July 27 and run until August 28, offering participants several weeks of structured learning, mentorship, and character-building activities.
To effectively cater to pupils at different educational levels, the Foundation has designated two learning centres. Government Secondary School Kenema, commonly known as K School, will accommodate students from Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) to Senior Secondary School Three (SSS3), while Methodist Primary School Kenema will host pupils from Classes One to Six.
The Foundation’s decision to maintain free registration has been widely welcomed by parents and community stakeholders. At a time when many households continue to face economic challenges, the programme provides a valuable opportunity for children to access quality educational support without placing additional financial burdens on families.
Education experts have consistently emphasized the importance of holiday learning programmes in helping pupils reinforce classroom knowledge, improve academic performance, and prepare adequately for the next school year. The IBS Foundation Summer School has successfully fulfilled this role over the years, benefiting hundreds of children and contributing to educational advancement within the district.
Beyond academics, the programme is designed to foster leadership, discipline, self-confidence, and positive social values among participants. Organizers believe that equipping young people with these skills is essential for nurturing responsible citizens and future leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
Over the past six years, the Ibrahim Brima Swarray Foundation has earned recognition for its unwavering dedication to youth empowerment, education, and community development. Its summer school programme has become one of the most respected educational interventions in Kenema, attracting growing participation and support from parents, teachers, and community leaders.
The Foundation noted that this year’s edition aligns with broader national efforts to improve educational outcomes and complements ongoing initiatives aimed at expanding access to quality learning opportunities for children across Sierra Leone.
As preparations gather momentum, excitement continues to build among pupils eager to take advantage of the programme’s academic and personal development opportunities. Many parents view the initiative as a timely intervention that will keep children engaged in productive activities during the holiday period while enhancing their educational growth.
With registration set to begin shortly, the Foundation is encouraging parents and guardians throughout Kenema to seize the opportunity and enroll their children. As the countdown to the 6th Edition of the Free Summer School Programme begins, expectations remain high that the initiative will once again make a lasting impact on the lives of young learners and help shape a brighter future for the next generation.