By George M.O. Williams
Sierra Leone’s President Dr Julius Maada Bio on Thursday, September 8, 2022, launched a five-year Education Sector Plan for Sierra Leone (2022-2026) at the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown.
The launching which was themed: “Transforming Learning for All”, brought together development partners, local actors in the educational sector and students across the Country.
President Bio said that the process of developing the education sector plan had been highly consultative and guided by several existing assessment reports and policy frameworks relevant to the sector.
He further said that his government has provided substantial funding in order to meet its objectives in the education sector, adding that other international partners, the Global Partnership for Education, had also contributed in the sector.
“We already know the impact of education as a cross-cutting driver for inclusive and sustainable development. Nations that have achieved rapid and sustainable economic growth have done so by developing the most productive resource in any nation’s – human capital. That is why we have predicated our development agenda on delivering human capital development – free quality education, affordable and quality healthcare, and food security,” President Bio said.
Bio stated that one of the greatest scars in any nation is a lack of access to quality education, thus he said the lack of access to quality education is the root of all the evil that can befall a nation.
In that regard, President Bio said, when education is lacking in a nation she will have uncritical thinkers; could not participate in global technological and scientific advancements; could not develop entrepreneurship and local manufacturing or attract global investors seeking unique skills. He added that such a nation is assured cycles of poor living conditions and intergenerational poverty.
The Head of Development at the Irish Embassy, Carol Hannon said the education plan is ambitious, but resources – both human and financial – are limited.
She added that in making the best use of all available resource means to eliminate corruption and wastages.
Hannon alluded that the inclusion of values in education is important because education enables citizens to develop the skills and knowledge that could lead to productive employment and economic growth.
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. David Sengeh said that the outcomes of the education sector plan could be achieved through the collective efforts of education stakeholders.
He added that over the years, Sierra Leone has witnessed increased admission in schools, employment and training of teachers across the Country.