The Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has engaged pupils and teachers from 17 secondary schools in Kenema District as part of his ongoing public sensitization on the ongoing voter registration, specially targeted at first time voters.

Speaking to the group of students and teachers at the Islamic Secondary school ground on Friday 30th September 2022, the Minister told young voters that they have a responsibility to ensure they exercise their civic rights and encouraged all those that are of voting age to go and register so they can be eligible to vote.

He recalled that 39 years ago he was in a similar position as a pupil at the same Islamic Secondary School, adding that he sees himself among them and many others that might go further than him in the future.

“For our nation to develop and move forward for all, you the young citizens need to be in the right position to elect your leaders, because your future depends on it.” He said.

He encouraged the pupils to seize the opportunity that the free and quality education given to them by His excellency President Julius Maada Bio, offers them, commit themselves to their studies and avoid examination malpractices, while maintaining that government wants to see that every Sierra Leonean child is able to defend what ever educational level acquired.

The Minister informed the gathering that government spends 22% of its budget on education to ensure quality education service delivery, and noted that this is a commitment that cannot be overemphasized.

Qouting President Bio, the Minister made the following statement:

“When you want to destroy a nation, you don’t need a military weapon, just destroy the educational system”.

“That is why we need a solid foundation to rebuild this nation” he continued.

Describing education as “the biggest equalizer” to human capital development, the Minister also maintained that government will continue the war against corruption, which he emphasised, starts from examination malpractices.

In another engagement, Minister Swaray joined the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Dr David Moinina Sengeh at the official opening of the boarding home of the first science senior secondary school for girls in Kenema, the Nyapui Secondary School Of Excellence For Girls, where he reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving education and ensuring that more girls stay in school.

In conclusion, he encouraged the girls to believe that they can do anything they put their minds to, and emphasized that this is one opportunity they cannot afford to lose.