By Amin Kef Sesay
The 12th October 2021 will definitely go down the annals of history of a renowned Sierra Leonean in the person of, Kobi Walker, who is the current Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited, as it was on that very day, that he was prestigiously honoured to lead the EDUCON21, which will be Sierra Leone’s first conference on education, as Goodwill Ambassador for the Implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (UNSDG 4) which emphasizes rolling out Quality Education.
In the declaration of the purpose of the meeting, which took place at the National Petroleum –Sierra Leone head office on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, Dr.Adikali Bangura, a representative from UNESCO, stated that the importance of education cannot be overemphasized. He added that the country has made significant progress in terms of enhancing education especially with the introduction of the Free Quality Education Initiative.
“We must now all contribute in one way or the other to make the country’s educational system impact meaningfully on overall national development and at this point in time it is important to note that the private sector has key roles to play in order to make education very relevant to development,” he underscored.
Chairman of the event, Professor Dr. M.Y Bangura, maintained that it is important to recognize the good works of people furthering how all are gathered with the objective of witnessing the conferment of an honorary recognition of Kobi Walker for all the meaningful things he had done to ensure that education is given a leap. He briefly dilated on the SDG Goal 4 which focuses on rolling out Quality Education.
The Chairman pointed out that currently, as opposed to the past, the country is witnessing a dramatic increase in school enrolment; more girls are now attending school, including pregnant girls also highlighting other transformations that have taken and still taking place.
He expressed the view that although not all will benefit but said the progress made so far are encouraging adding how COVID-19 has taken its toll on some of the successes achieved so far but maintained that with the likes of Kobi Walker, who are of the conviction that education is a key to success, they still continue to render support whenever such is needed and the resources are available.
The initiator of EDUCON21, Ambassador Dr. Alex Bangura, told those present that he would like to convey a special respect to President Julius Maada Bio for prioritizing education stating how it is significant to push the President’s agenda forward, maintaining that doing so is in the good interest of all Sierra Leoneans. He appealed to all and sundry to assiduously work towards overcoming the challenges that militate against rolling out quality education in the country.
Dr.Alex Bangura stated that to be educated is good but the essence is to positively influence society otherwise it is a misconception. He used the opportunity to extend invitation to all present to attend their forthcoming conference which will be held later in the year. He ended up giving the necessities of education stressing that if as a nation we are able to fulfill all of them then we will see great improvements.
He reiterated that since diamonds were discovered in the country much premium has not been placed on enhancing human capital development. He, however, expressed delight that the narrative is positively changing.
On his part, the Proprietor and Principal of the Washington College of Management and Technology (WANTEC), Dr. James Mathew, said he has never met Kobi Walker but heard about his good works He underscored that the type of education that was in vogue for a considerable period of time did not benefit the nation and so there was the need to depart from it.
Dr. Mathew pointed out that the Free Education program is in place as it makes provision of leaving behind no child but emphasized that the quality aspect is very important to achieve. He maintained that there are challenges with the Free Education program which must be dealt with if we are to achieve quality. He identified inadequate furniture in schools as something to be addressed, going forward to suggest that teachers need recognition, they need to be motivated as well as afforded training opportunities.
He also talked on the need for curriculum planning noting that certain departments of the University of Sierra Leone evaluated their curricula way back in the ‘70s stating that it is significant to be regularly planning and updating the curriculum of educational institutions in order to match up with current trends.
“There are graduates who are completely computer illiterate which in this century is unbelievable,” he lamented adding how much need to be done to take education to another pedestal.
Representing UNESCO, Dr.Adikali Bangura ,said he is happy that the Basic Education Ministry is developing modules for core subjects, a move ,which he said, is a step in the right direction in enhancing education in the country. He informed the audience that UNESCO intends to train a targeted number of teachers in the provinces and such will be done virtually.
Dr.Adikali said quality education focuses on every aspect of a child and prepares the child for life which, he said, is beyond making him or her become literate. He added that the educational system must be inclusive and equitable one. He also recommended that the role that the private sector could play in enhancing the Free Quality Education could be by encouraging innovation, hold private schools accountable for out puts and encouraging diversity, meaning that it must be accessible to all.
Dr.Adikali said they want to ensure that the focus should not only be limited to the number of pupils or students that pass examinations.
In his statement, Kobi Walker pointed out that one week ago (5th October, 2021) President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and development partners celebrated the World Teacher’s Day at the Freetown International Conference Center recognizing teachers and their tremendous efforts in the promotion and advancement of education.
He continued that now he is honored to deliver a keynote address on the theme: “The Role of the Private Sector in Promoting and Advancing the UNSDG 4 in Sierra Leone”.
The erudite Chief Executive Officer of NP-SL stated that Education is a human righ, which countries have the responsibility to ensure but they need not be the sole provider.
He said private involvement can increase financial resources committed to education and supplement State capacity to absorb growing demand while assuring standards.
Kobi Walker stated that while there are various ways in which the private sector can be involved, a strong regulatory framework is vital to ensure high quality and equity, at the same time encouraging investment and competition.
He revealed how the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4 or Global Goal 4) is about quality education and is among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in September 2015 informing that the full title of SDG 4 is, “Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Opportunities for All”.
Kobi Walker highlighted how the private, or non-state sector, in education can include independent, community-based, NGOs, faith-based organizations, trade unions, private companies, small-scale informal providers and individual practitioners.
He intimated that in a developing country like Sierra Leone, prevalence of extreme poverty, insurgency, conflicts, and other factors has significantly reduced the progress of educational development as compared to many other developing countries in the sub-region.
Kobi Walker , however, stated that the good news is that, a lot of transformation had happened in the education sector, of which he said there had been more than a 30% increase in enrolment and about 22% annual budget allocation to strengthen education in the country.
He dilated on how Government has attracted more funding such as the Global Education Summit in London where Sierra Leone is now eligible for a $40 Million grant for the education sector.
In recounting some of the gains made , he said more teachers have been recruited and trained, more school inspectors empowered and more students encouraged to stay in schools and colleges.
He said Post University programs such as the National Youth Service has recruited and placed over 1,800 graduates into various institutions whilst providing national service and attracting employment.
Kobi Walker made an important point by stating that while Governments are and should continue to be, the stewards of education systems, it is important to acknowledge and understand both the potential of the private sector and the reality that the non-state sector is supplying significant education services in many spheres in the country.
“Private involvement in education can help to increase the level of financial resources committed to the sector and supplement the limited capacity of Government institutions to absorb growing demand,” he averred adding how there is also increasing evidence to suggest that the private sector is well equipped to meet the growing differentiated demands of specific groups, for example, religious ones – even when the State provides sufficient places in public schools and universities.
“An education system that acknowledges public and private providers and has accountability mechanisms to strengthen service delivery amongst the various education stakeholders is good,” he informed suggesting that Governments can guarantee access to education through finance and private provision.
Kobi Walker stated how good ideas need to be piloted and subjected to rigorous assessments, the results of which should then be used to adjust programmes accordingly saying successful pilots then scaled up as appropriate.
He said apart from providing corporate support to Government through funding of educational programmes and projects, the private sector has trained more students through internship and mentorship programs, built more schools and universities over the last 2 decades and provided support to at risk and low earning communities.
The NP-SL CEO disclosed that in his current position they, as a company, have built schools for the police, military and has built good toilet facility for the Government Independence Memorial Secondary School.
“As CEO, we have also built squash courts at various schools (St. Edwards, POW, FBC etc..), “ he also revealed adding how in order to understand the role the private sector could play and realize the potential benefits that its involvement could provide, an understanding of how Government is currently engaging with the private sector is required.
He said Government has several options involving different financing and provision solutions such as the establishment of independent private schools, Government-funded private schools and privately managed schools.
“Through my support to various educational institutions and organizations in Sierra Leone, I am a co-chair of a special development committee of the University of Sierra Leone delegated with the responsibility to identify and seek funding for developmental projects and programs,” he also disclosed.
He said private sector engagement in education, nonetheless, requires a strong regulatory framework to ensure high-quality delivery and equity while at the same time encouraging investment and competition.
The charismatic personality said too often, regulation is poorly developed and discouraged private investment without any gain in educational quality. He argued that indeed, enforced standards are key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the private education sector and its credibility in the market.
“Perceptions of the quality of private education are fundamental and can be easily damaged – bad publicity about private providers offering poor quality can harm the reputation of the whole sector,” he maintained.
Kobi Walker said in a strong regulatory environment, holding providers accountable come both from the Government, as well as parents, students and communities in which the schools operate.
“Empowering parents, students, and communities means that parents are aware of the learning, or the lack of it, taking place in their child’s school,” he said furthering how they should also be able to use their voices to hold the school and Government accountable regardless of their socio-economic background saying because it will have some effects on learning, teacher motivation, student attendance, etc.
Other speakers made salient contributions of how education could be enhanced and its relevance to overall national development.
The highpoint of the occasion was decorating Kobi Walker with the conferment of the Ambassadorial title on Kobi Walker who henceforth will carry the title Ambassador. This was followed by the taking of group photographs.
