By Amin Kef Sesay
On the 28th to the 29th July, 2021 the global community met in the United Kingdom to raise their hands in support of quality education for all children.
During a brief discussion on the 29th July 2021 in which the Education Ministers of selected countries participated, including Sierra Leone’s Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. David Sengeh, all of them dilated on policies and initiatives that have been rolled out in their respective countries geared towards enhancing education and human capital development.
Speaking with passion, Dr. David Sengeh, highlighted that there has been a tremendous change in the educational system in the country since President Julius Maada Bio took over leadership of the country. He laid emphasis on how they as a Government put premium on the importance of generating data which are used in making evidence-based decisions and policies as to how to improve the sector.
The electrifying moment was when Dr. Sengeh mentioned the way the Government is focusing on translating radical inclusion into reality in its approach to transform the educational system in the country that will be beneficial to many children in the country.
The Minister underscored that radical inclusion, within this context, means leaving no one behind furthering how just recently the Government approved the policy of accepting pregnant girls in school, how those living with disabilities and even the Girl Child are given consideration in accessing education.
He maintained that radical inclusion must not only be in theory but must be intentional and very broad based not leaving behind those in hard to reach areas. The Minister said the use of radio, television etc as well as the oldest form of technology, which is paper, can all play defining and significant roles in enhancing the learning skills of children.
Giving an example of how technology could be positively applied to enhance the educational system, Dr. David Sengeh, made reference to how accessing the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results this year was digitalized in the sense that through just a simple text message children or parents can get the examination results which were out few days ago. He said, hitherto, it took up to days when the results were out for it to be accessed because the process was cumbersome and costly were as of now it is almost free.
“In Sierra Leone we don’t joke with accurate data because it is only when you have the right data that you could be able to make informed decisions,” the erudite Education Minister cum Chief Innovator averred adding that proper measurement of impact generates data for further evidence-based conversations.
Dr. David Sengeh intimated this medium that it has been excellent having technical meetings with some partners including Education Outcomes Fund and Save the Children adding how they will also meet others like Fab Inc, EdTech Hub and Plan International.
He also stated how they held exciting discussions in London around Girls’ Education, Climate, Curriculum, etc with leaders of UK Govt with the likes of Gavin Williamson MP (Secretary of State) , Member of Parliament Hon. Wendy Morton, Hon. Nick Gibb MP and
Hon. Helen Grant.
“I have also had the pleasure of engaging other African Ministers from South Sudan, Ghana, Malawi and Senegal sharing ideas and exchanging solutions that work for us on how do we keep girls in school and ensure our educational and school systems are resilient,” he intimated.
On his part, President Bio stated that he had a very exciting meeting with Dominic Raab today in London adding that as a Government, they will continue to increase commitment towards education.
He underscored how he shared with the world the progressive reforms the Government had undertaken in Sierra Leone furthering that they will continue to increase financing, expanding access and promoting girl’s education for inclusive and sustainable development.
It must be noted that President Julius Maada Bio and Dr. David Sengeh, continue to emerge on the world stage as global voices, thought leaders, consciences of innovation through radical inclusion for educational empowerment and sustainability.
The paradigm shift initiative by Minister Sengeh from teacher centered pedagogy to student focused collaboration and problem solving with application of analytical skills, critical thinking will definitely aid the process of children’s neural connections while serving as the formative platform for strong cognitive development.
Dr Sengeh’s strong background in technology has in no small measure informed his emphasis on data collection, data analysis and sound conclusion in his approach to evidence-based policy initiatives.
The Global Partnership for Education, the platform for the world education summit focused on facilitating inclusive partnership, bringing actors from all corners of the globe to collaborate, focus on evidence-based challenges, offer material, technical and financial support and sharing best practices from countries around the globe.
It could be recalled that President Bio and Dr. Sengeh have changed the DNA of education in Sierra Leone in just three short years. The catastrophic pandemic of the past 18 months has tested the resolve of the President and his Minister even more intensely, compelling both to reimagine education radically to include more vulnerable constituencies and children across the country.
The reimagining has involved but not limited to the use of technology to bridge the equity divide through the medium of radio and television. Mobile phones as devices through which educational materials like dictionaries and classroom resources are accessed, continue to be included in the nation’s educational toolbox of assets for equity and inclusion.
Building a more resilient educational infrastructure through a commitment to gender equity, teacher and professional development opportunities and making changes happen at systems level has been the hallmark of the President and the Education Minister.
A Social Commentator intimated this medium that contrary to what is being peddled on Social Media by some that it was quite unnecessary for President Bio and Dr. Sengeh to attend the summit since it was also online, that it is a wastage of taxpayers’ money, the undiluted fact remains that what Sierra Leone has achieved so far in rolling out the Free Quality Education Initiative and pledging 22% of its national budget to the educational sector are indeed worth showcasing.
