YMCA Sierra Leone Pilots Climate Change Primer for Secondary Schools

By Pious Mannah/YMCA

In a bold and timely step toward enhancing climate education, YMCA Sierra Leone is leading the development of a Climate Change Primer tailored specifically for senior secondary school pupils. While the primary focus of this publication is to support teaching and learning in schools, it is also being designed to serve as a broader resource for individuals and communities interested in understanding disaster risk reduction and climate change in the Sierra Leonean context.

This initiative comes at a critical time when the country, like many others across the region, is grappling with the increasing impacts of climate change, ranging from unpredictable rainfall and rising sea levels to flooding and environmental degradation. The goal of the primer is not only to educate, but also to empower. It aims to equip young people with the knowledge and practical skills they need to respond to these challenges and become active contributors to building climate-resilient communities.

In early July 2025, the YMCA of Sierra Leone conducted the first review process of the book, focusing on a prototype chapter that had been drafted by the project’s technical team. To ensure that the material is both accessible and effective for its intended audience, a group of 45 pupils and 15 teachers were engaged in a participatory review exercise. These participants were drawn from 15 senior secondary schools across Lungi in the north, Bo in the south, and Kenema in the east of the country; five schools from each region, with three students and one teacher representing each institution.

The review sessions were lively and thoughtful. Students and teachers engaged critically with the content, offering insights into what worked well and where improvements could be made. Many appreciated the effort to make the information relatable, using local examples and practical case studies that reflect the environmental realities of Sierra Leone. One teacher from Bo remarked, “This is the first time we are seeing climate change explained in a way that is easy to understand and also connected to what we experience in our communities. It’s empowering for our students.”

What made this process particularly meaningful was the strong emphasis on community ownership. Rather than imposing content from the top down, YMCA Sierra Leone made a deliberate effort to invite feedback from those who will use the book most. This collaborative spirit not only improved the quality of the chapter reviewed, but also deepened the sense of shared responsibility among teachers and students alike.

The feedback collected is now being used to refine the draft and guide the development of the remaining chapters. As the project moves forward, YMCA Sierra Leone is continuing to work closely with educational authorities, curriculum experts, and community stakeholders to ensure that the primer aligns with national learning objectives and reflects the lived experiences of Sierra Leone’s youth. Plans are also underway to roll out training sessions that will prepare teachers to use the book effectively in their classrooms once it is published.

This project is more than just a book, it is part of a larger vision to strengthen environmental education and give young people the tools to lead. In a country where the effects of climate change are already being felt, it is young minds that will shape the future. Through this primer, YMCA Sierra Leone hopes to plant seeds of awareness, action, and resilience in the hearts of students across the nation.