By Foday Moriba Conteh
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, and his team engaged with community stakeholders of Kaniya, Luawa Chiefdom in Kailahun, to provide updates on the ongoing construction of a hostel/boarding home in the area. This project, part of the Free Education Project Secretariat (FEPS), aims to provide much-needed accommodation for pupils in Kailahun District.
During the visit, Minister Sackey, alongside the contractor Unique Solutions and key stakeholders, inspects the progress of the project and assessed its alignment with the broader goals of the Free Education Project.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are making significant strides with the Free Education Project Secretariat and I am excited to share the progress of the hostel construction, which will offer crucial support to students in this community.”
He emphasized that the project, made possible through partnerships with Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the World Bank and the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, is focused on enhancing educational infrastructure and improving access to quality education for pupils in Sierra Leone.
Minister Sackey highlighted the unique challenges faced by girls in Sierra Leone, particularly the high dropout rates after completing primary education. He stressed the importance of gender-responsive interventions, specifically designed to address the needs of girls.
He noted that in many communities, the absence of secondary schools forces parents to send their daughters far from home, often resulting in teenage pregnancies. Citing Zambia as an example, he explained how girls’ hostels have helped mitigate this issue, which inspired the Government’s decision to construct hostels for girls to address the problem in Sierra Leone.
He also acknowledged the calls from stakeholders for the construction of a girls’ school in Kailahun District, noting that there is currently none in the district. He assured the community that he would engage relevant authorities to consider their request.
The Minister concluded by reassuring the community that the hostel project remains on track and with the continued support of international partners, has not been abandoned as purported on social media. He emphasized that the hostel will soon provide a safe and conducive environment for pupils.
Conrad Sackey emphasized that the initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to delivering vital infrastructure that supports the future of education in Sierra Leone.
Earlier Ibrahim Deen, CEO of Unique Solutions Company Ltd, explained that the construction of the hostel began in 2022 but encountered delays due to some unforeseen issues.
He assured that, as the contractor, they have the necessary manpower to complete the project, adding that most of the work is now done, with 95% of the project already completed.
Ibrahim Deen further explained that during the construction the donors requested additional extensions and facilities, which contributed to the delay. However, he confidently stated that the building will be fully completed and handed over by the end of the year.
Welcoming the gathering, the Paramount Chief of Luawa Chiefdom, Alhaji Mohamed Sama, expressed his appreciation to the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, and his team for engaging with the community stakeholders of Kaniya, Luawa Chiefdom in Kailahun, to provide updates on the ongoing construction of a hostel/boarding home in the chiefdom.
He emphasized the significance of the project, noting its potential to enhance educational infrastructure and improve access to quality education for pupils in the district.
The chief assured the community’s support for the project’s completion and echoed the sentiments of other speakers regarding the need for the construction of a girls’ school in the district.
The visit concluded with a tour of the facility led by the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, along with community stakeholders and other key participants.
