Sierra Leonean-led
National expertise and institutional knowledge remain in Sierra Leone. This includes the people, experience and relationships built through years of work in Sierra Leone's education system.
Who We Are
Our Identity
A Sierra Leonean institution dedicated to transforming education systems, in partnership with government.
Lɛ Wi Lan is a nationally-led not-for-profit providing technical advice, research, and implementation support to strengthen the foundations of learning across Sierra Leone.
We work in direct partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone to bridge the gap between high-level policy and classroom reality. Our team is composed of Sierra Leonean educators, data scientists, and policy experts who understand the unique challenges of our schools.
By combining local expertise with international best practices, we ensure that education reforms are not just designed well, but delivered effectively for every learner.
The Vision
Transformed Education for development in Sierra Leone.
The Mission
To provide educational technical assistance, working in close partnership with Government, for quality education and inclusive growth in Sierra Leone.
Why LWL
What Sets LWL Apart
Government-partnered
We work alongside government rather than building parallel systems. Our work is designed to support national priorities and strengthen existing government structures.
System-focused
We strengthen institutions, people, data and delivery systems so reforms endure. We focus on the wider conditions that enable good programmes and reforms to take root and continue.
Evidence-driven
We generate and use evidence to improve programmes, policy and implementation. What we learn through our work helps us adapt our approach and support better decisions.
Institution vs Programme
LWL builds on the people, experience, learning and relationships developed through the decade-long Leh wi Lan programme. This experience provides a strong foundation for the institution, while LWL is focused on carrying that learning forward.
How we work
Our operating principles
Five commitments that shape every programme we design, whoever it's with.
01
Government-led, nationally aligned
We align fully with government priorities and ongoing reforms. Our role is to strengthen the systems that already exist and back Sierra Leonean expertise, not to build parallel structures of our own.
02
A whole-system view of lasting change
Curriculum, assessment, teacher education and school leadership rarely improve in isolation. We work across the system so that reform holds together — and actively closes gaps in access, participation and outcomes, rather than widening them.
03
Evidence before assumption
We help government build and use robust data at every level — national, district and institutional — so decisions rest on what's actually happening in classrooms, not on what's assumed to be happening.
04
Government in front, always
Our work is measured by what government achieves, not by our own visibility. Communication and engagement are built to help government articulate its own priorities and progress — not to draw attention to Lɛ Wi Lan.
05
Education as national identity
Education shapes how a nation understands itself. We make sure curricula and learning materials embrace Sierra Leone's own languages, culture and values, alongside strong foundations in literacy and numeracy.
Working on education in Sierra Leone? Let's talk.
Ministries, funders, researchers and school leaders - we're open to partnership at every level of the system.