The Education System in Sierra Leone vs. The Untied States, Essay Example

One could argue that school in Western Society is very different from school anywhere else. As two very different country, there is reason to believe that Sierra Leone and the United states handle school in two very different ways. The school systems of the United States and Sierra Leone are different  in many ways, specifically by means of attire, cost and class size.

Most schools in the U.S. enforce a level of dress code, but overall,  but generally do not require uniforms. Schools that enforce a dress code only rule out clothes that show inappropriate body parts.

In Sierra Leone, pupils usually are required to wear a uniform. Pupils seem to be more proper than western students and are respectful on a different level. the European Intelligence Wire stated, “The children of the local school, in lines of striking blue uniforms, are singing…”(Harvey, 2010). This illustrates the normality of order that is prevalent in the Sierra Leone school system.

U.S. students do not have to pay for school until they go to collee, and still financial assistance is available to university students.  The only schools that are not free are private school, but public schools are open to all U.S. children.

Primary school in Sierra Leone is also free, but tuition charges begin with secondary school (Harvey). Many students, particularly girls who have a  dowry, are often pulled from school due to financial constraints. “As few as nine per cent of girls in rural areas of Sierra Leone go on to secondary schools” (Harvey, 2010).

Likewise, much money that is allotted to schools is being paid to schools that do not exists, according to an article in Interpress Service, which followed the tracks of a school inspector whose jobs it was to find schools that were receiving funds without actually existing. (Fofana, 2008).

Sympathetic students in a Chilwell, England school held a “non-uniform day” and bake sale to raise funds for the schools in Sierra Leone (Europe Intelligence Wire, 2009).

A final difference in the schooling systems of Sierra Leone and the United States would be class size. As mentioned earlier, school is readily available and usually free for American students.  Likewise, schooling is required up to age 16 for students in the United States.

In Sierra Leone, school is not required, and is much more expensive and families are much poorer than those in the United States.  Therefore, classes in Sierra Leone are much smaller than those of. Small villages in Sierra Leone have minimal populations and few families even send their children to go to school.

In conclusion, the school systems of Sierra Leone differ on many important levels.  Schools in Sierra Leone require students to wear a uniform, while schools in the United States often do not.  Students in the United States are offered free education until college, while students in Sierra Leone are only offered free primary school and the United States hosts larger classes than the schools of Sierra Leone.

Works Cited

European Intelligence Wire. 27 May 2009. General OneFile. Web. 6 May 2010.

Fofana, Lansana. “Sierra Leone: Fraud Inquiry Finding Schools Exist in Name Only. Interpress Service.30 Sept. 2008. General OneFile. Web. 6 May 2010

Harvey, Chris. Learning curve.” Europe Intelligence Wire. 6 Mar. 2010. General OneFile. Web. 6 May 2010.