By George M.O. Williams
President Julius Maada Bio has on Wednesday September 7, 2022, discussed with students identify some of the challenges in educational sector ahead of the Transforming Education Summit to be held in New York.
Held in State House the dialogue brought together 60 students from different learning institutions in Sierra Leone.
The Transforming Education Summit is convened in response to a global crisis in education bordering on equity and inclusion, quality and relevance.
According to Education Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, the effects of the crisis is often slow and unseen, but is having a devastating impact on the future of children and youth worldwide.
Students and teachers raised concern over the fact that most schools lack water and hygiene facilities, trained and qualified teachers, close supervision from teachers, equipment for special needs students and the culture of reading among students.
President Bio assured the students that the concerns raised by the students will be put forward during the summit’ He acknowledged that in spite of government interventions in education there are still issues that need to be addressed.
Bio emphasized on the need for students inculcate the culture of reading early in their educational journey.
He emphasised that reading is a tool which students must imbued in their educational journey, because they have to responds to the content of what they reading in the future.
President Bio added that education is a challenge everywhere in the world which is why the United Nation has decided to hold the summit to remedy the solution.
He admonished teachers in pre-school to exercise extra patience in dealing with the toddlers, and added that being patient is the hallmark of a goods teacher.
The Minister of Basic and Senior Education, Dr. David Sengeh said that the summit provides a unique opportunity to elevate education to the top of the global political agenda and to mobilize action.
He added that it will also show the ambition, solidarity and solutions to recover pandemic-related learning losses and sow the seeds to transform education in a rapidly changing world.