Founded in 2004, Ahkom grammar school elected to locate in the Kono district; a diamond rich locality yet one of the poorest and underserved in Sierra Leone, where it commenced operating as a private school. Ahkom has a distinguished academic record in public examinations.

When the new government ushered in its free education programme in 2019, many students in Kono flocked to government and government assisted schools which were beneficiary of this program, so as to benefit from dispensing with school fees, the mainstay of private schools. Private schools in the district were left with little option than to apply for government-assisted status in order to retain most of their students.

The main attraction of government assisted status was the promised payment of teacher salaries by government. In return schools were not to collect schools fees. Teacher salaries comprise the bulk of school expenditure.

Contrary to expectations Ahkom school, since its transformation to government assisted status in 2019 in all sectors - Primary, Junior and Senior secondaries - has not, to date, had a single teacher placed on the government role by the Teacher Service Commission, the body set up to deal with teacher affairs.

There has also been a change in attitude among students and parents back in favour of the traditionally well performing private schools as opposed to the largely underperforming government assisted schools sector where the well intentioned free quality education programme has led to oversubscription and to challenges in the delivery of quality.

Our current staffing levels are: Prep/Primary teachers 9, Junior/Senior secondary teachers 26, admin & support staff 3. None of our staff are currently on a full wage and it is only due to their ongoing commitment to the school that we are able to continue functioning.

The school has always achieved very good academic results. In 2022 we had 100% pass in the National Primary Schools Exam (NPSE) and the Basic Education Certificate Exam (BECE) for Junior secondary schools, and a 99% pass rate in the Sub-regional West African Senior Secondary Schools Examinations (WASSCE).

Ahkom has finally decided to revert back to its original status as a private school. We are seeking funds to assist that transition over a one year period. The income will help provide correct teacher salaries as opposed to the stipends we have been reluctantly forced to pay, and also help us carry out much needed school maintenance. This in recognition of the fact we may initially suffer a reduction in the student rolls, whose fees are required to cover operational costs, until we reassert our past credentials as one of the best performing schools in the district. Of which we are confident.

Please, help us to raise this money so we can revert back to our original private school status and continue giving our pupils the education they deserve.