By Foday Moriba, Intern, Public Relations Unit
Orange Sierra Leone
Orange Sierra Leone Foundation, a non-profit entity of Orange Sierra Leone Limited, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, launched the second phase of its Orange Digital School Kits initiative, aimed at enhancing the digital and technological learning experience for young pupils in the country. The launching event took place at Bishop Crowther Primary School on Race Course, East End of Freetown, where Digital School Kits were donated to both Bishop Crowther Primary School and Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Primary School.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Orange Sierra Leone CEO, Sekou Amadou Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, Orange Sierra Leone General Secretary Danetta Younge, Head of Orange Digital Centre, Finnah Mariama Stevens, community stakeholders, school authorities and local community members.
Each school received comprehensive digital kits containing tablets, Raspberry Pi devices, laptops, Bluetooth speakers, projectors, screens, headset extension cables, power banks and other advanced tools designed to enhance the digital learning experience for students. These resources will enable pupils to develop crucial technological skills, promoting digital literacy and preparing them for the future.
In her address, the Head Teacher of Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School, Fatmata A. Fofanah, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Orange Foundation and Orange Sierra Leone for selecting her school as one of the beneficiaries of the Digital School Kits Donation initiative.
She emphasized the significance of the donation, noting that it is not only important but also a timely intervention aimed at enhancing the digital and technological learning experience of the pupils.
The Head Teacher further assured that the Digital Kits would be well-maintained, securely stored within the school and utilized for their intended purpose of facilitating easy learning for the pupils.
Speaking at the Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School, Orange Sierra Leone CEO Sekou Amadou Bah emphasized the transformative potential of digital learning in under-resourced schools.
He highlighted that many children across Africa and the Middle East lack access to digital education. Orange’s Digital School Kits, which function as electronic libraries, are designed to provide educational content to schools without internet access, he furthered adding that currently, the initiative operates in 16 countries, supporting 1,400 schools and benefiting over 500,000 pupils, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to him, each pupil in participating schools will use tablets to access educational content selected by their teachers, with the ability to project lessons onto screens. Sekou Amadou Bah expressed his excitement about the eagerness of both pupils and teachers to engage with the digital tools, particularly the tablets.
The CEO congratulated the schools selected for the project and urged the beneficiaries to handle the digital equipment with care, ensuring its longevity. He assured the schools of ongoing support from Orange SL, promising regular evaluations and assistance in addressing any challenges.
Sekou Amadou Bah concluded by stressing the power of technology to revolutionize education, noting that it goes beyond equipment, providing new, more accessible ways to learn.
On his part, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, lauded Orange Sierra Leone for its unwavering commitment to supporting President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for national development.
“Thank you to Orange for this initiative. They are one of the largest and most impactful companies in the country. This support aligns with the President’s vision and benefits the entire country, particularly our community, Kanikay,” said Minister Chernoh Bah.
A proud alumnus of Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School, the Minister reflected on the pivotal role the school played in shaping his life. He inspired the pupils to aim for greatness, emphasizing the importance of education in a rapidly digitizing world.
“Enhancing the digital and technological learning experience for young pupils is crucial, especially as the world becomes increasingly digital,” he remarked. He praised the efforts of the school authorities at both Bishop Crowther and SLMB Primary Schools, commending them for their hard work and dedication.
The Information Minister urged the pupils to take their studies seriously, reminding them that “learning is more valuable than silver and gold.” He also encouraged school authorities to ensure the proper use of the digital school kits, emphasizing that the pupils are the true beneficiaries of the donation.
In his vote of thanks, the Head Teacher of Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Primary School, Sallieu Sheriff, expressed gratitude to Orange Foundation Sierra Leone for the generous donation.
He assured everyone that the digital school kits would be used for their intended purpose, benefiting the pupils.
The ceremony concluded with the official handover of the digital school kits. Orange Sierra Leone CEO Sekou Amadou Bah presented the kits to the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, who then passed them on to the school authorities, marking a significant step towards enhancing digital learning in the schools.
