MTHE Partners with MOICE to Promote Quality Higher Education in SL
26th September, 2024
The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has joined hands with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MOICE) to organize a Town Hall Meeting at the Fourah Bay College's Multi-purpose Hall. This event aimed to promote and uphold the standards of quality higher education in Sierra Leone (SL).
The meeting highlighted crucial topics such as "The Role of Universities and Quality Education" and "The Impact of Financing on Students and Communities," with the ultimate goal of improving the overall educational landscape in the country and creating a positive impact on students and communities.
This collaboration holds great significance, as the increase in enrollment into tertiary institutions due to the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) necessitates the need for adequate support and resources for these institutions to effectively cater for the growing number of students from high school.
During his welcome address, the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, emphasized the deliberate decision to conduct the programme in Krio. This, according to him, was done in order to provide an equal opportunity for all citizens of Sierra Leone, regardless of their educational background, to fully understand the discussions at hand. Aziz-Kamara stressed the importance of inclusivity in such discussions and urged all participants to engage in a candid conversation on how to prioritize education, which would have a positive impact on the entire nation. He also expressed his appreciation for H.E. President Bio's dedication to education since taking office. He then proceeded to introduce the distinguished speakers and dignitaries in attendance.
In her keynote address at the event, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, expressed her gratitude to MOICE and MTHE for their dedication in organizing a successful event. She highlighted the importance of discussing quality technical and higher education as it directly impacts the development of a country's human capital. Dr. Wurie emphasized that President Bio has always placed education as a top priority, recognizing that the youth are the most valuable assets of a nation. She stressed the need for investing in young people and providing them with quality education that equips them with academic, technical, and soft skills to contribute to the country's socio-economic growth and support the National Development Plan. Dr. Wurie urged everyone to take a moment to reflect on the progress made in the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and to focus on giving young people the necessary tools for their future success. She highlighted the importance of the conversation and its role in shaping the education system in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Wurie further emphasized the crucial importance of training young individuals to meet the needs of today's labor market. This, according to her, was the driving force behind the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education's labor market survey, which involved a thorough examination of the country's National Development Plan. Through this survey, they were able to identify growth sectors and consult with both public and private industry players to determine the necessary skills for young graduates. She assured that this information would be used to assess and adjust the curriculum of tertiary institutions, ensuring alignment with the demands of the labor market. By doing so, she affirmed that their efforts would not only prepare young people for success, but also support the Government's Youth Employment Scheme in creating 500,000 job opportunities.
The panel discussion on "Sustainable University Financing" was a highly informative and insightful event, moderated by Imran Sillah, an experienced member of the Strategic Communication Unit at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education. The panel included esteemed guests such as Dr. Ilara Mahdi, Deputy Director of Budget at the Ministry of Finance; Prof. Aliyagreen Alghali, Chairman of Tertiary Education Commission; Dr. Brima Gegbe, President of the Union of Academic Staff Associations; Rev. Prof. Edwin J. Momoh, Chairman of Conference of Vice Chancellors and Principals; Rev. Dr. George Ernest Gbamanja, a Representative from the University of Makeni; and Mohamed Rex Bonapha, President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students. The panelists shared their valuable insights on the challenges and solutions for sustainable financing of universities.
The Question-and-Answer Session, moderated by Imran Sillah, was a great opportunity for both in-person and online participants to engage with the panelists and receive comprehensive answers to their queries.