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The Ministers of Education Dr. David Moinina Sengeh and Professor Dr. Alpha Tejan Wurie respectively, on Thursday September 2, 2021 briefed the public on progress in the education sector. The briefing took place at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Ministry of Basic And Senior Secondary Education
The Basic Entrance Certificate Examination results were released in record time to enhance quality education. This academic year, SSS1 pupils will have the opportunity to start school in the first term.
According to the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, the early release of BECE results will prevent teenage pregnancy. According to him, he was committed in eliminating the slogan “after BECE na beleh” and give girls the chance to be educated and waste no time.
The Minister informed the press that the Ministry is developing a syllabus for SSS. He wants senior secondary school pupils to complete their syllabus in time for the public exams.
The Minister said, the Ministry is working to inject quality into the educational system and therefore, they have implemented radio teaching service and also embarked on training of teachers.
More schools had 100% pass rate while less schools got 0% pass rate in the 2021 BECE. Schools will reopen on Monday September 6, 2021.
Dr. David Sengeh said that the Ministry has deployed technology to improve learning such as the *846# to access dictionary on your phone, the 468 SMS facility to check results and placement in schools and also the 8060 toll free line to report and enquire on school activities.
He also divulged that the Ministry will launch sixty (60) Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers across the country. This is to make provision for early learning and prepare the kids for entry into primary school.
The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio will in the coming weeks, open 100 Junior schools that were built, renovated and reconstructed.
Minister Sengeh also confirmed that, the Presidential Best Teacher award will be held on the 5th October 2021. The Minister furthered that, even though there had been massive verification exercise right across the country, he has instructed another verification process for teachers claiming to have PIN codes but not receiving salary. The process kicked off on Wednesday 1st September 2021.
In his final statement, Dr. Sengeh pleaded to citizens to be watchdogs in preventing corruption and examination malpractices. He appealed to all and sundry to report acts of corruption to ACC offices across the country.
Ministry Of Technical And Higher Education
The Minister of Technical and Higher Education Prof. Alpha Wurie said about six thousand one hundred and twenty five (6125) students applied for the Sierra Leone Government Grant-in-Aid in all 16 districts but only two thousand seven hundred (2700) were awarded the scholarship.
He also disclosed that an online application portal system was used.
Every District has a Scholarship Committee that includes ACC and CSO representatives.
Dr Wurie said that priority was given to students offering programs in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering,
Agriculture and Mathematics (STEAM), Medicine, French and Tourism.
He also revealed that first year students are exempted from the government scholarship. However, first year female students in STEAM were granted the scholarship.
STEAM applicants for this year were 520 and all were awarded the scholarship.
100 teachers’ beneficiaries applied for the award and 90 were awarded.
The Minister of Techical and Higher education reaffirmed that the University Act 2021 has been signed by the President, therefore all universities will have their Chancellors as promised by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.
