{"title":"The Role of Faith-based Organizations in Building Democratic Process: Achieving Universal Primary Education in Sierra Leone","authors":"Mikako Nishimuko","volume":16,"journal":"International Journal of Educational and Pedagogical Sciences","pagesStart":375,"pagesEnd":380,"ISSN":"1307-6892","URL":"https:\/\/publications.waset.org\/pdf\/12016","abstract":"
This paper aims to argue that religion and Faith-based Organizations (FBOs) contribute to building democratic process through the provision of education in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone experienced a civil war from 1991 to 2002 and about 70 percent of the population lives in poverty. While the government has been in the process of rebuilding the nation, many forms of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including FBOs, have played a significant role in promoting social development. Education plays an important role in supporting people-s democratic movements through knowledge acquisition, spiritual enlightenment and empowerment. This paper discusses religious tolerance in Sierra Leone and how FBOs have contributed to the provision of primary education in Sierra Leone. This study is based on the author-s field research, which involved interviews with teachers and development stakeholders, notably government officials, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and FBOs, as well as questionnaires completed by pupils, parents and teachers.<\/p>\r\n","references":"[1] UNECOSOC, Commission on Population and Development Thirtyeighth\r\nsession 4-8 April 2005 World Demographic Trends, 2004.\r\n[2] S. Silue, Education, Literacy and Development in Africa. Cape Town:\r\nCentre for Advanced Studies of African Society, 2000.\r\n[3] E. Hannum & C. Buchmann, \"Global Educational Expansion and\r\nSocio-economic Development: An Assessment of Findings from the\r\nSocial Sciences,\" World Development, 33 (3), pp. 333-354, 2005.\r\n[4] P. Rose, Supporting Non-state Providers in Basic Education Service\r\nDelivery. Sussex: University of Sussex Centre for International\r\nEducation. Retrieved 10 October 2007 from Consortium for Research on\r\nEducational Access, Transitions and Equity (CREATE), 2007. Available:\r\nhttp:\/\/www.create-rpc.org\/pdf%20documents\/PTA4.pdf\r\n[5] C. Harber, Education, Democracy and Political Development in Africa.\r\nBrighton: Sussex Academic Press, 1997.\r\n[6] UNDP, Human Development Report 1993, People's Participation.\r\nOxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.\r\n[7] C. Harber, \"Education, Democracy and Poverty Reduction in Africa.\"\r\nComparative Education 38(3), p. 267-276, 2002.\r\n[8] C. Ake, The marginalization of Africa: Notes on a productive\r\nconfusion. Lagos State: Malthouse Press Ltd, 1996.\r\n[9] A. Lind, Education, Democracy and Human Rights. Stockholm: SIDA,\r\n2005.\r\n[10] D. Hulme, & M. Edwards, NGOs, States and Donors Too Close for\r\nComfort?. London: Macmillan Press Ltd, 1997.\r\n[11] D. Belshaw, R. Calderisi, & C. Sugden, Faith Development: Partnership\r\nbetween the World Bank and the Churches of Africa, Regnum Books\r\nInternational, Oxford, 2001.\r\n[12] D. Belshaw, \"Enhancing the Development Capability of Civil Society\r\nOrganisations, with Particular Reference to Christian Faith-based\r\nOrganisations (FBOs).\" In Reclaiming Development: Assessing the\r\nContributions of Non-Governmental Organisations to Development\r\nAlternatives, Economic and Social Research Council Global Poverty\r\nResearch Group, 2005.\r\n[13] N. Rao & I. Smyth, Partnerships for Girls' Education. Oxford: Oxfam,\r\n2005.\r\n[14] J. L. Hirsch, Sierra Leone: Diamonds and the Struggle for Democracy.\r\nLondon: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc, 2001.\r\n[15] UNICEF, The State of the World-s Children 2006. Retrieved December\r\n10, 2006, from The United Nations Children-s Fund, 2005.\r\nAvailable:http:\/\/www.unicef.org\/sowc06\/pdfs\/sowc06_fullreport.pdf\r\n[16] Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper,\r\nFebruary 2005. Retrieved November 27, 2006, from IMF.\r\nAvailable:http:\/\/www.imf.org\/external\/pubs\/ft\/scr\/2005\/cr05191.pdf\r\n[17] P. Bennell, J. Harding, & S. Rogers-Wright, PRSP Education Sector\r\nReview. Freetown: British Council Sierra Leone, 2004.\r\n[18] Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Sierra Leone\r\nEducation Sector Plan: A Road Map to a Better Future, 2007. Retrieved\r\n30 October 2007 from UNESCO. Available:\r\nhttp:\/\/planipolis.iiep.unesco.org\/upload\/Sierra%20Leone\/Sierra_Leone_\r\nESP.pdf\r\n[19] M. Nishimuko, \"Problems behind Education for All (EFA): The Case of\r\nSierra Leone.\" Educate^, 7 (2), pp.19-29, 2007.\r\n[20] A. C. Hudock, NGOs and Civil Society: Democracy by Proxy?.\r\nCambridge: Polity Press, 1999.\r\n[21] I. Smillie, & H. Helmich (eds.), Stakeholders: Government - NGO\r\nPartnerships for International Development. London: Earthscan\r\nPublication Ltd, 1999.","publisher":"World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology","index":"Open Science Index 16, 2008"}