of all children to education is recognized as a central developmental pillar. The Agenda for Prosperity (2013-2018) identifies universal quality education, especially for the most marginalized, as a fundamental enabler for the attainment of the national development objectives of becoming a middle-income country with at least 80 percent of its people living above the poverty line by 2035. 369. In recognition of the importance of the right to education, the GoSL has committed, in the next five years to invest in and reform the educational system, especially basic education, to ensure quality learning and adequate human resource development (Agenda for Prosperity (2013-2018). 370. The preceding national commitment marks the next stage in the evolution of the education system in Sierra Leone. It marks a renewed commitment to more systemically address a number of challenges which persist after a decade of protracted efforts to rebuild and strengthen an education system, which like other sectors of society, suffered significant damage during the 11 year civil war. 371. Even before the war, Sierra Leone’s education system was marked by massive exclusions and inequities with only approximately 40 percent of children of schoolgoing age in school (Pemagbi, 2010). The situation deteriorated further after the war. The start of the millennium saw thousands of children who had been directly involved in and/or affected by the war living in extremely difficult conditions which impacted negatively on the enjoyment of their right to education. Many children were displaced refugees; many more were separated from their parents; many had missed out on years of schooling, were working or living on the streets, were involved in commercial sexual trade and activities, were involved in child labour; and were living in severe poverty. These factors, combined with the destruction of education infrastructure and systems translated into very low levels of educational access, retention, completion and quality of education at all levels of the education system for the majority of children in Sierra Leone. 372. The cessation of the civil war in 2002 coincided with the ratification by the GoSL of the ACRWC. Under the leadership of the Ministries of Education Science and Technology (MEST) and Local Government (MLG) the GoSL started the process of rebuilding its education system and infrastructure aimed at improving the availability, access, quality, inclusivity and the management and administration of all levels of the education system – from primary to tertiary levels. 373. The ensuing decade saw a number of legal, programmatic and budgetary developments aimed at improving the realization of the right to education for children. 374. Legal, programmatic and budgetary developments included the following: 94  374.1 Subscription to EFA and MDG development initiatives – with commitments to make basic primary education universally free and compulsory as well as improve access to quality early childhood care and education. 374.2 The development and implementation of a number of post-war interim / emergency programmes to rectify a number of the problems. These included: Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone Initial Report on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 2002-2014