The Orthodox Christian College has recently opened a branch in Kailahun district of Sierra Leone.

Explaining the background of the college, Registrar Dauda Sulaiman T Mansaray said that the college has been in Sierra Leone for over ten years and has contributed to the development of early childhood learning. He stated that over the years the college only operates in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.

Mansaray maintained that establishing a branch in Kailahun resulted from numerous requests and concerns raised by the citizens of the district during their early childhood workshop conducted sometime in 2023. He further explained that establishing the college in Kailahun is one of the ways to make education accessible, by taking it to the doorsteps of the people in communities who find it difficult to access education due to distance and other surrounding challenges.

Registrar Mansaray highlighted the courses the college offer, including Educators Certificates (EC) and Higher Educators Certificates (HEC), which last for three years each. And the National Council for Technical, Vocational, and other Academic Awards (NCTVA) conducts the final exams and awards certificates to deserving students.

In his statement, one of the lecturers and master trainer Emmanuel Joe Foray explained the need for having such college. He underscored that the Orthodox college focuses on training educators in the nursery department who directly deal with kids within the age bracket of 2 to 6, because they believe in building the foundation solid.

“We believe that when we catch them young at ages 2 to 6, the issue of English and Math in school will not be a challenge any longer.” stressed Emmanuel Joe Foray. He also emphasized the uniqueness of the curriculum as it is different from the normal primary school curriculum.

The campus coordinator in Kailahun, Reverend Patrick Jusu Korjie expressed profound thanks and gratitude to the college administrators for remembering Kailahun to extend their first branch. He noted that it’s something the Kailahun people long yearned for and assureed his totality to making sure that the college succeed in Kailahun.

Campus coordinator Reverend Korjie further calls on the authorities in the district to support the dream of the college, disclosing the existing unique relationship with other colleges in the district. He also assured of making his office open at all times to all and sundry.

“The forms are available now and payment should be made at Rokel Commercial Bank costing NLe400 and we hope to start lectures in July 2024,” said Reverend Korjie.

Participants present on this engagement expressed gratitude for having the college at their doorsteps.