By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education (MBSSE), has signed a contract agreement with Tiwai Memory Masters to provide 6,061 solar-powered tablets and accessories in support of the country’s Free Education Project. The signing ceremony took place at the MBSSE Conference Room on New England Ville in Freetown, on October 23, 2024, and was attended by officials, stakeholders and representatives of Tiwai Memory Masters.
Announcing the initiative, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Conrad Sackey emphasized the solar-powered tablets potential to enhance teaching and learning across the nation’s schools, especially in remote areas lacking access to electricity. “This project reflects our commitment to quality education,” Conrad Sackey stated, explaining that the tablets will support key functions such as recording attendance, offline teacher training, teaching observations and access to educational videos.
The tablets, valued at $2.79 million and backed by the World Bank, are designed for rugged environments, powered by solar energy to ensure functionality in schools without reliable electricity. Each school will receive one tablet under the “One Tablet Per School” program.
According to the Minister, the devices will allow school leaders to enhance classroom practice by offering tools for coaching and development based on classroom observations.
He informed the gathering that the procurement process began in December 2023 and followed a two-envelope system of evaluation to ensure rigorous assessment of bids. Tiwai Memory Masters emerged as the most responsive bidder and the World Bank granted approval for the contract award on July 31, 2024. Tiwai Memory Masters submitted sample devices, which were tested and approved with minor modifications to ensure they meet durability and performance standards.
He pointed out the project aligns with the Government’s long-term educational objectives by strengthening the Free Quality School Education Program, aiming to make quality education accessible to all children.
Highlighting the initiative’s benefits, Conrad Sackey elaborated on the program’s multi-functional approach, which not only supports daily attendance tracking but also provides a foundation for professional development. “Through teaching observations these tablets will help identify specific areas where teachers can grow, backed by instructional videos that directly address strengths and challenges within the classroom,” he said.
The Minister stated that the devices come equipped with a biometric authentication system, ensuring secure data handling, particularly for student attendance. Each tablet will be distributed with a solar power kit and related accessories to meet the power needs of schools in isolated areas. This is expected to improve educational equity, as schools with limited infrastructure will have access to tools otherwise unavailable.
Under the contract, Tiwai Memory Masters is tasked with adhering to the terms of the Financial Act of 2024, including a 6.5% withholding tax. Other contractual requirements include performance-based guarantees and inspections before delivery to ensure quality and compliance with Government standards. The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation will assist in these inspections, reinforcing the project’s inter-ministerial collaboration.
The procurement process also requires the supplier to manage import duties and ensure timely, which is 16 weeks, safe delivery of the tablets to all designated schools. A meticulous inspection will be conducted upon delivery, with MBSSE, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and the project Secretariat jointly verifying the items before distribution.
He stated that the payment structure will be staggered, with 10% paid upon delivery, 80% upon certification of completion and the remaining 10% after full distribution to the schools, adding that MBSSE will oversee the distribution and monitor usage to guarantee that all tablets reach their designated destinations, as outlined in the contract.
The Education Minister concluded the event by affirming the Ministry’s dedication to monitoring each phase of implementation, “from procurement to classroom,” ensuring that this ambitious step in educational support reaches every intended beneficiary and fosters a positive impact on Sierra Leone’s educational landscape.
Deputy Director, Enterprise Data Network at Tiwai Memory Masters expressed appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education (MBSSE) for signing the contract with them.
He assured all of them supplying quality and durable tablets and within the specified time frame which is 16 weeks.
The ceremony was concluded with the official signing of the contract between the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education and Tiwai Memory Masters.
