By Amin Kef Sesay
The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education on the 22nd July 2020 through a Public Notice is informing members of the public that it will recommence the Second Semester 2019/20 Academic Session for Higher and Technical Education Institutions across the country.
According to the Notice the date for the reopening of Colleges/Universities and Technical Vocational Institutions is on Saturday July 25, 2020.
It further stated that the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Conference of Vice-Chancellors & Principals of Higher Institutions have agreed on a broad framework of activities for the academic session.
Also stated was that the National Covid-19 Emergency Response Center has outlined guidelines in line with the COVID-19 measures, which the Ministry and DiCOVERC will jointly supervise to ensure safety compliance. It added how the COVID-19 prevention measures will be announced to the public shortly.
In another development the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) is also informing the public that the ECOWAS Bank of Investment and Development has approved initial funding to the tune of 32 Million United States Dollars for the construction of the University of Science and Technology in Kono District.
The partial funding approval for the University project is the outcome of concerted efforts by various stakeholders including the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Ministry of Finance and the Office of Presidential Infrastructure Initiative.
It was learnt that the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Finance, wholly and successfully funded a pre-feasibility study of the project. The Ministry of Finance is due to formally sign the project agreement with the Bank and construction will commence after all due-diligence processes are finalised.
The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Prof. Aiah A. Gbakima has expressed elation that yet another Presidential promise is being fulfilled within the shortest possible time.
