I27 Septemberd effort to uplift educational standards in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, organized a town hall meeting at Fourah Bay College on September 26, 2024. The gathering focused on promoting higher education and addressing the barriers students face in accessing quality education.
The Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, set the tone by stressing the significance of inclusivity in such discussions. His decision to conduct the meeting in Krio, Sierra Leone’s widely spoken language, allowed citizens from all walks of life to fully engage with the conversation, regardless of their educational background. “We must provide equal opportunities for every Sierra Leonean to be part of the conversation on education,” Kamara said, urging participants to engage in candid dialogue on how to prioritize education to benefit the nation.
In her keynote address, the Minister o
f Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, highlighted President Julius Maada Bio’s unwavering commitment to education since taking office. She expressed gratitude for the collaboration between the ministries in hosting the event and emphasized the profound impact quality technical and higher education has on national development.
“Education is the cornerstone of any nation’s progress,” Dr. Wurie stated, “and President Bio has always placed it at the top of his agenda, recognizing that our youth are the most valuable asset we have.” She further stressed the need to invest in young people, equipping them with both academic and soft skills to contribute to Sierra Leone’s socio-economic growth.
Dr Wurie also addressed aligning educational curricula with labour market demands. She explained that the MTHE had thoroughly examined the National Development Plan to identify key growth sectors and consulted with industry leaders to determine the skills young graduates need. “This is about more than j
ust education-it’s about ensuring that our youth are prepared for success and that their training aligns with the jobs our economy needs,” she affirmed.
The town hall also provided a platform for students to voice their concerns. Famata Kanneh, a Milton Margai Technical University student, shared her challenges receiving her government grant-in-aid. “I was told the government had not sent the funds after my matriculation, and my family is struggling with paying the fees,” Kanneh explained. Her story is one of many illustrating the hurdles students face, but it also highlights the government’s efforts to address these issues through forums like the town hall.
As Dr. Wurie emphasized, the ministry’s efforts aim to address the immediate challenges in education and lay a foundation for future success. “Our focus is not just on today’s students, but on ensuring Sierra Leone’s future workforce is equipped to build a prosperous nation,” she remarked, underscoring the government’s ambition to create 500,000 jobs fo
r young people.
This town hall was more than just a discussion-it reflected the nation’s journey toward educational reform and a call to action for everyone to contribute to shaping Sierra Leone’s education system.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency