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COMMENTARY… Untrained, Unqualified & Poorly Motivated Teachers Can’t Deliver Bio’s Quality Education

By Amin Kef Sesay

The 2018 theme for World Teachers Day was: “The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher”. It was chosen to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), where education is recognized as a key fundamental right – A right that cannot be fulfilled without qualified teachers.

Trained and qualified teachers are fundamental to the right to education. To move the country’s shameful state of education to another level where the majority that go through it can read, spell, write, do basic arithmetic and mathematics calculations well, and think rationally and reason and behave properly, there is an increasing demand from stakeholders (i.e. Governments, learners, parents and employers) to ensure quality, value for money and the success of learners.

While within the past decade there have been tremendous efforts made to improve access and ensure equity; quality has in most instances been compromised. In which regard, reports monitored across the country recently told a deeply frustrating story by majority of students in public funded schools that they go to school, spend the entire day with, if they are lucky, only one or two teachers entering their classrooms to teach them.

“The teachers do not teach at all,” many of the students interviewed lamented.

“The best they do is to give assignments which to have them marked you have to pay for in cash or sex or other material payments,” one girl in one of the secondary schools in the far east of Freetown told this Press pointedly.

This is hardly the kind of teacher-learner environment that His Excellency President Bio expects his dream of quality education for over two million learners in the primary and secondary categories of the education system to get quality education.

The decrease in wages in Sierra Leone since the 1980s has had a harmful effect on the quality of education, by de-motivating teachers and particularly those who are trained, qualified and experienced from seeing teaching as a career, as other well paid motivated employees in the civil service do.

As such, recruitment of thousands of new teachers by the Government does not necessarily solve the problem of providing our kids with quality education.

Sad fact is that, the majority of teachers in our schools, especially in the rural areas are untrained, unqualified and not career teachers.

In providing the much needed quality that will make education useful and productive for those that go through the systems, most important is enhancing teacher education for bridging the education quality gap that is very widespread in the country.

This fundamental restructuring of the learning system is crucial if we are to accelerate progress towards the Education for All and education-related Sustainable Development Goals – particularly SDG4 on inclusive and equitable quality education and especially target 4.c on increasing the supply of qualified teachers through international cooperation for teacher education/training, and SDG9 on innovation.

It was in this light that the first World Teachers’ Day was held on 5 October 1994 to celebrate the role teachers’ play in providing quality education at all levels that enables children and adults of all ages to learn to take part in and contribute to their local community and global society.

As the situation in the county stands, there are no established benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, teaching and learning conditions.

To provide the backbone for injecting quality into the country’s moribund educational systems, the focus has to be placed heavily on teachers’ professional development and other areas of learning related to the continuum of education (i.e. curriculum teaching and learning materials and measurement of learning outcomes).

Specific objectives must include:

  • Addressing the issue of teacher quality;
  • Promoting the integration of ICT into teaching and learning;
  • Promoting appropriate learner assessment approaches to ensure quality learning and teaching;

To improve the learning systems and learning outcomes satisfactorily, the above call for marked capacity building in all departments and aspects of the primary and secondary educational systems that currently is hardly on a durable, sustainable basis.

As such, going forward, much more needs to be done not only to pursue the goals of access and equity but also relevance and quality simultaneously with the aim of ensuring the success of learners.

Alhaji Kanja Sesay Emerges as New Mandingo President

Alhaji Kanja Sesay

By Amin Kef Sesay

At State Lodge on the 24 February 2020 the National Mandingo Union presented its new President, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Tamba Lamina, before presenting the team said the event was a historic one for the Mandingo people, adding that they were “good people who represented peace and patriotism”.

The Minister further congratulated the new traditional leader and thanked President Bio for making time to meet them.

President Bio, in a brief statement said that: “On behalf of the Republic of Sierra Leone and as President, I recognise Alhaji Kanja Sesay, presented to me by the Mandingo community of this country as their indisputable President. Representing the State, I recognise you formally as the President of the Mandingo community in Sierra Leone. Congratulations”.

On his part, Alhaji Kanja Sesay thanked the President for recognising his leadership, saying that the process leading to his endorsement was a long and seriously consultative one among their membership across the country following the death of their former leader. He said that he had accepted the honour from his people to take over the leadership of the Union.

He said that the main function of the Union is to coordinate and supervise the various Mandingo organisations across the country, hence consultations for his endorsement were wide and inclusive.

Alhaji Kanja Sesay also noted that they were people known for being loyal, peaceful and patriotic, adding that they would continue to live by those values.

The new Mandingo President also commended President Bio and his New Direction Government for putting focus on human capital development, especially the introduction of the free quality education programme. He added that that was a way of laying the foundation for sustainable development in the country.

He also thanked the First Lady, Madam Fatima Maada Bio, for the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign that would protect and promote the welfare of women and girls in the country. He promised that they would work on by-laws to stop early marriage and teenage pregnancy among their membership. The Mandingo President also appointed the First Lady, a Mandingo herself, as a Mandingo Ambassador.

LEAVE AUTOSPECT ALONE!!!

By Ibrahim Alusine Kamara

Past Thursday February 20th, 2020, three foreign companies including Sierra Trading Company (STC), BILHAQ and IAS who are said to be owned and sponsored by some foreign nationals including a Ghanaian, Nigerian and Lebanese embarked on what many have described as a calumny campaign against Autospect (SL) Limited, a Sierra Leonean owned company that was awarded the contract for the production of number plates, vehicle registration, Licenses and most importantly the transformation of the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA) into a modern entity.

The three companies, who had been in charge of the production  of number plates at SLRSA  for over twenty three (23) years before their contract expired in 2014 alleged among other things during a press conference held at the Harry Yansanneh Hall on Campbell street in Freetown that Autospect is a foreign owned company that was recently awarded the contract without due processes, that Autospect intends to make over 300% increment on services they are to provide and that the SLRSA has been privatized among other allegations.

Cognizance to the allegations above, this medium therefore embarked on  a due diligence mission and after a thorough investigation into the said allegations, it was discovered that Autospect is a Sierra Leonean owned company that is only contracted as a service provider.

It was further discovered that the said contract which is worth over twenty million dollars ($20, 000,000) was awarded way back in the days of the All Peoples Congress (APC) led administration following the expiry in 2014 of the contract of the three companies that had been producing the number plates for SLRSA with all due processes followed to the latter.

The $20 million Autospect contract according to investigations, will see the total transformation of SLRSA into a modern day entity that will be fully automated in which there will no longer be delays in the production of number plates, vehicle registration, licenses among other services.

Despite the massive transformation that will be brought to the Authority, our investigations furthered, over 500 jobs are also said to be created when Autopsect finally starts operation.

With these goodies and more packed in store, it therefore suffices to tell those calumny campaigners to leave Autospect alone and join the company in its course to rebrand the SLRSA as there are lots of opportunities packed in store for them.

SLCB Launches Visa Debit Card

By AminKef Sesay

Management of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank launched the Visa Debit Card during a ceremony held on February 22nd 2020 at the Freetown Golf Club climaxing celebrations of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s weeklong celebration of its 57th anniversary.

Managing Director, Fidelis Turay said the card can be used on POS devices and more than 20 million ATMs worldwide and also online to buy products and services.

Visa Debit cards work like cash, only better. They use funds directly from your bank account and are accepted worldwide.

They offer quick, secure and convenient access to your money in person, online, overseas and over the phone.

In his speech before the launching of the Visa Debit Card, MD Fidelis Turay thanked the Freetown Golf Club for collaborating with SLCB to deliver a successful combined golf and tennis tournament and gave hearty congratulations to all tournament participants.

He stated that thrills and spills, fierce competition and humorous banter filled both competitions, noting that, “No doubt, some of you will have bragging rights but I consider you all to be champions even if you haven’t won prizes.”

MD Fidelis Turay reported proudly that “The Bank continues to grow from strength to strength, bolstered by its digital transformation drive.” He added: “We have launched innovative products and services which have been well received by our valuable customers.”

He maintained that the bank has no intention of resting on their laurels as the most profitable bank with the largest customer base. “We will continue to delight you, our customers with products and services befitting the immense loyalty and support you continue to show us,” he said.

The Visa Debit cards which can be used anywhere in the world to buy goods and services, he said is another step in that direction.

For those that are tarrying to get onboard the SLCB train, he invited them to come and join SLCB in its exciting journey enhancing their banking experience.

Hon. Komboh Kamara & Saidu Abass Kamara in ACC Net 

Anti-Corruption Commission Boss, Francis Ben Kaifala

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a latest development, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), on 24th February, 2020, filed an indictment against a former Member of Parliament, Hon Komboh  Kamara, of No. 5 Carlos Drive, Goderich, Freetown, on twenty-four (24) counts of corruption offences bordering on Misappropriation of Public Funds, contrary to Section 36(1), Abuse of Office, contrary to Section 42(1), Abuse of Position, contrary to Section 43, and Failure to Comply with Applicable Procedures and Guidelines, contrary to Section 42(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 respectively.

Additionally, the Councilor of Ward 246, Port Loko District, Saidu Abass Kamara, of No. 31 Baiandam Street, Pepel, was also charged on one (1) count of Abuse of Office, contrary to Section 42(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, respectively.

Between March, 2011, and March 2012, Hon Komboh Kamara in his then capacity as Member of Parliament representing the then Constituency 074, which is now Constituency 056, misappropriated a total sum of One Billion, Three Hundred Twenty-Three Million, Six Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand Leones (Le: 1,323,647,000/00) meant for the benefit of the People of Lokomasama Chiefdom, by withdrawing and failing to account for the said funds from the bank account of Lokomasama Development Fund. Hon. Komboh Kamara faces twenty-four (24) counts of corruption offences.

Saidu Abass Kamara, on the other hand, while serving as Councilor of Ward 246, Port Loko District, between January 2009 and December 2014, abused his office by improperly refusing to handover to the Pepel Community Health Centre one 5KVA Generator, and two hospital beds. He converted the said generator and beds for his benefit, thereby conferring an improper advantage on himself. The said generator and beds were donated by African Minerals Ltd.

Meanwhile, the indicted persons are expected to appear in the High Court Holden at Freetown on 4th March, 2020. The Commission reassured the general public of its determination to curb graft at all levels in Sierra Leone.

In Moyamba… Orange-SL Unveils Super Coders Programme at Harford School

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In order to complement strides made by the Government to expand innovation and technology in the country, one of Sierra Leone’s leading mobile operators, Orange-SL in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and ST Foundation Bridge the Digital Divide-Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 25th February 2020 launched the Super Coders Project at the Harford Secondary School for Girls in the Moyamba District.

Delivering a statement on behalf of Orange SL, the Regional Business Manager, Augustus Bendu, disclosed how the Super Coders Project is an introductory ICT training program for children between the ages of 9 to 16 explaining that Scratch is a computer programming language. He said in Scratch, programs are made by joining together coloured blocks using the mouse. This group of blocks (called scripts) tells characters on the Screen (called Sprites) what to do. Scratch is free, safe and fun to experiment with.

She stated that with Scratch, children can make their own interactive Stories, Animations, Games, Music, and Art and Scratch has large collections or Libraries of cool graphics and fun sounds to play around with, which enable children to solve real life social issues through coding and animation.

He maintained that coding, once introduced in related schools by Orange, will be included in their ICT curricular and will be taught by the ICT tutors in each school. “Many will recall that Orange SL commenced the execution of its FQE project in October 2019, as the company distributed 2,000 hygiene packs to 20 schools in the Western Urban and Rural areas and conducted awareness and sensitization raising on menstrual hygiene and sexual reproductive health,” he pointed out adding that in this year the company will roll out all five projects before the year ends.

“As a global telecoms player operating in about 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East, Orange aims at being the leading partner in the digital transformation of all our countries of presence. In achieving this ambition, Orange has included education as one of its key pillars under its CSR policy,” he also underscored.

He maintained that Orange, being a multi service provider and a responsible corporate citizen places emphasis on corporate social investment, adding that in the last three years, Orange has invested about $ 400,000 dollars mainly in the areas of women empowerment, health, education and the environment and that the company remains the first operator in Sierra Leone to contribute to the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) programme by pledging the sum of $1.5m in material assistance over a period of five years.

He further disclosed that Orange SL will be hosting an Inter-School Competition that will commence soon also disclosing how the winners will be given a full computer lab built and finished by Orange-SL.

Director, ST Foundation, Bridge the Digital Divide-Sierra Leone, Mohamed Dumbuya, expressed appreciation to Orange Sierra Leone for partnering with them in order to implement the Super Coders Scratch Project in secondary schools in the country.

He also disclosed that the Super Coders Project is an introductory ICT training program for children between the ages of 9 to 16.

He said the union, marriage or partnership they are enjoying was created by UNICEF-Sierra Leone by bringing them and Orange SL together.

He said STF/BDD-SL has been working in providing ICT education for schools and higher learning institutions in Sierra Leone for the past 10 years and within that period of operation over 145,000 Sierra Leoneans have benefited.

He said ST Foundation has 31 locations in the country, but said the Harford Secondary School is the only school that has benefitted in the Moyamba District, adding that he has presented a list to the Ministry of Education and will ensure that more schools benefit from the project further admonishing the pupils to make good use of the opportunity.

CSR Officer, Rebecca Sogbeh, underscoring the Free Quality Education package of Orange disclosed that the company remains the first operator in Sierra Leone to contribute to the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) Agenda by pledging the sum of $1.5m in material assistance over a period of five years, adding that in 2019 Orange launched and rolled out the hygiene packs for girls aged 12-18 years further revealing how they are going to donate 10,000 packs over five years period and over 2,000 sanitary packs yearly to schools.

She disclosed that Orange-SL, in this year, will launch and roll out  Solar Kits for school children in the rural areas of which 1,000 solar pack kits will be distributed over a five year period to 200 villages without grid to be covered per year saying they will install them in local libraries/community centers/schools etc. in which 100,000 people are expected to benefit from.

She said Orange in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), designed five projects. One of such project is the Super Coders Scratch Program through which Orange in partnership with ST Foundation intends to introduce ICT training on basic coding for children in 100 Secondary Schools with existing ICT labs over a period of five years.

Deputy Director, Teaching Service Commission in Moyamba District, Edmond J Momoh, officially launched the Super Coders Project during which he expressed appreciation to Orange-SL and ST Foundation for the implementation of the project.

He also encouraged the pupils to make good use of the opportunity maintaining that the project will enhance the development of the children.

Pupils of St. Joseph Convent Benefit from Orange SL Spak Bundle

By Edward Vamboi

One of Sierra Leone’s dependable telecommunications operators, Orange Sierra Leone, on Tuesday 25th February 2020 launched the Spak Bundle Project otherwise known as Student Pack at the St. Joseph Convent Secondary School compound in Freetown.

In his address, the Mass Marketing and Bundle Executive Project Leader –Student Pack, Orange SL, Sheik Omaru Jalloh disclosed that the promotion is specifically meant for school going children and those attending tertiary institutions, furthering that as an institution they carried out a perception survey which was conducted in January 2019 in order to identify the problems associated with students trying to access the internet.

He further disclosed how they thought it fit to officially unveil the students’ pack offer so that students all across the country could benefit from it.

He stated that they as an institution deemed it appropriate to provide a service which entails sensitizing the students on important issues and broadening their horizons.

In addition he furthered how pupils and students in both schools and tertiary institutions will have the opportunity to enjoy cheaper data bundles at affordable prices for internet browsing.

“You as pupils who have first benefitted must extend the information that you have benefited from Orange to other pupils and students in schools, colleges and inform them that Orange SL will take the campaign to all the schools and universities and provide a student service class in which we will cater for the exact number of students to utilize the offer,” he stated.

Chief Executive Officer of Orange-Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane Ndiaye

SLBL Commissions Le 2.2 Billion Antenatal Clinic at Well Woman Clinic

By Amin Kef Sesay

As part of fulfilling its corporate social responsibility and its strides towards reducing maternal and neonatal death rates in the country, HEINEKEN Africa Foundation (HAF) and Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) on Friday 21st February 2020 commissioned an Antenatal clinic worth 2.2 billion Leones at Well Woman Clinic, Murray Town in Freetown.

In his statement, Corporate Affairs Manager of Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Albert Ojo Collier pointed out that it is indeed a great honour and privilege to officially commission the antenatal clinic project on behalf of the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation (HAF) and SLBL, to the people of Sierra Leone, through the Well Woman Clinic. He added that the project proposal was approved in 2019 by the HAF Board for total sponsorship to provide sustainable antenatal and postpartum services for 20,000 women in targeted areas in Sierra Leone for over 3 years supporting and ensuring 92% safe delivery of healthy babies to healthy mothers.

He said that although the Government offers free antenatal and under five medical services, however, few antenatal clinics (Government or Private) offer a comprehensive antenatal and post-partum service including ultrasound examination with onsite doctors for referrals and other services such as family planning counselling, sexually transmitted infections treatment and child immunization are also constrained in providing routine services at these antenatal clinics.

He disclosed that they are very proud to continue as a strong support to the health of women in Sierra Leone by supporting private sector initiatives of this nature, underscoring that they will do the official opening of the antenatal clinic and the deliverables include providing the following:

  • Access to a fully equipped, functional antenatal and post-partum clinic with family planning, immunization and HIV testing and counselling;
  • Access to wellness care and other medical services already existing at the Well Woman Clinic;
  • Health education and awareness outreaches to targeted areas on nutrition, breast feeding and wellness care for mother and baby, family planning, education on the dangers of pursuing alternative unsafe delivery and merits of referrals to Government hospitals etc.

He added that the beneficiaries of the project as per the target will be approximately 20,000 women over a period of two to three years and that the investment that HEINEKEN Africa Foundation has put together for the project amounts to EUR 209,722 which is well over Le 2.2 Billion (2,259,754,550) in equivalent.

“We count on the support of all Sierra Leoneans to continue to promote our brands. Buy your own locally manufactured Maltina non-alcoholic, Star Beer, Star Citron, Mutzig Beer, Guinness Stout, Amstel and Trenk Dark Malt Energy Drink among others. This is the only way you can help to support our business and sustain our continued support to such projects,” he maintained.

Chief Executive Office, Well Woman Clinic, Jennifer Renner-Thomas, expressed appreciation to HEINEKEN Africa Foundation and Sierra Leone Brewery Limited for the gesture which he said was not only important but timely.

She disclosed that they won their first HAF prestigious award in 2010, which project was named the Prenatal Equipment Project (PREP), so called because all activities centered around a State of the Art Ultrasound Equipment for early detection of abnormalities in pregnancy for low income women and that the project which cost only $50,000 allowed approximately 2500 women to be screened free of charge for early detection of abnormalities in pregnancy, adding that they received support from UNFPA for the cost of registration for these women and MEPS took on the administrative aspect.

She said that during the programme they realized that women who were not registered in these main towns upcountry or rural areas came from at least 20 clinics, PHUS and to register for the ultrasound service and so again they turned to their benefactors, the Heineken Africa Foundation and sold the idea of an Antenatal/postnatal Clinic at the Clinic itself, adding that it is in keeping with their vision of reproductive health care for the underprivileged and a one stop health facility thus enabling pregnant women to access a fully equipped antenatal/postnatal clinic.

Underscoring the description of the Project she disclosed that the total cost of the Project is based on a very conservative budget of $319,000 for 3 years for which Heineken Africa Foundation is funding $226,500 or Eur209, 722 (71%) and the rest, that is, $92,500 or Eur85, 100 (29%) from MEPS Trust and the Public and that the project has a two-pronged strategy: it is both clinic based and an outreach to Sussex and Waterloo with the main aim of assisting the Government reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in our beloved country.

United Nations Fund for Population Activities representative Dr. Abiodun Oyeyipo noted that the clinic has been built and being commissioned demonstrating the deep commitment of the sponsors and the leadership of Well Woman Clinic to uplift the health status of women in Murray Town community and the adjourning catchment areas through the provision of quality maternal health care services.

He added that the maternal health indices for Sierra Leone are not currently very pleasing, stating that Sierra Leone is among the countries with the highest rates of maternal, infant and child mortalities in the world. He said according to the 2013 SL DHS estimated that the MMR was 1,165 deaths per 100,000 lives births and women in Sierra Leone have a 1 in 17 lifetime risk of dying due to pregnancy or childbirth.

He reiterated their commitment in delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled, in that regard they will continue to partner with Government and their partners in their efforts to improve access to quality SRHR services in the country.

He applauded HEINEKEN Africa Foundation, Sierra Leone Brewery Limited and Well Woman Clinic for this life saving support.

Antenatal clinic building
Antenatal clinic machine
Corporate Affairs Manager of Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Albert Ojo Collier and SLBL Staffs

VP of ECOWAS Lays Foundation for Peace Operations Facility at Lungi

Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission Madam Finda Koroma

By Amin Kef Sesay

During a very momentous ceremony a foundation laying ceremony for the construction of phases 2 and 3 of the ECOWAS logistics depot took place on the 8th of February 2020 in Lungi, Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission Madam Finda Koroma expressed the appreciation of the Commission to the government and people of Sierra Leone for their commitment to the operationalization of the project.

Taking particular note of the timeliness of the logistics facility Madam Koroma stressed that it remains a very important project for the region’s peace support operations, in the face of increased acts of terrorism and violent extremism perpetuated in a number of the ECOWAS Member States with heavy and dire consequences on the civilian as well as military population.

She disclosed that in addition to the political and strategic considerations, Sierra Leone and, in particular Lungi, was selected as the best location for the ECOWAS Peace Support Operations Facility due to the outstanding performance of the country’s Armed Forces (RSLAF) across the world in peace keeping operations.

Madam Finda Koroma thanked former Presidents of Sierra Leone, including President Julius Maada Bio for their unflinching support and continued advocacy at all levels for the operationalization of the ECOWAS Support Operations Logistics Facility.

In his keynote address, the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh lauded the initiative of the ECOWAS Commission to fast track the depot, despite bureaucratic challenges.

He stressed that the ground breaking ceremony of the logistics depot will send a significant message not only to the rest of Africa, but also to international partners “that West Africa is ready to handle its security and build the infrastructure required to support peace operations”

According to him, the depot will provide support to ECOWAS peace keeping operations to effectively combat violent extremism and terrorist activities in the West African sub-region.

On his part, the Sierra Leonean Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai who chaired the occasion emphasized the importance of the event noting that Sierra Leone had always welcomed ECOWAS with open arms as demonstrated by the high cooperation accorded the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in 1997 to stop the rebellion by the Revolutionary United Front.

The ECOWAS Commission’s Commissioner for General Administration and Conference Vafolay Tulay gave an overview of the depot project while acknowledging the roles played in its realization by ECOWAS Member States, United States of America, China, and the United Nations through its Mission in Sierra Leone among others.

 

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