The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) signed a contract with Tiwai Memory Masters for the procurement and distribution of 6,061 solar-powered tablets and accessories as part of the Sierra Leone Free Education Project.

Valued at $2.79 million, this initiative is designed to enhance teaching and learning in schools across Sierra Leone by providing tablets that record attendance, offer offline teacher training, conduct teaching observations, and include relevant educational videos.

Tiwai Memory Masters was selected through a rigorous bidding process approved by the World Bank. The tablets, powered by solar energy, are especially useful for schools in remote areas with limited access to electricity. The payment for the project will be staggered: 10% on delivery, 80% after completion certification, and the remaining 10% after distribution.

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, praised the initiative for its potential to improve teaching practices, monitor learning outcomes, and support students, including those with disabilities.

He expressed confidence that this project will reduce teacher absenteeism and provide school leaders with valuable planning tools.

Additionally, the project has garnered international attention, with other African countries, such as Nigeria, showing interest in replicating Sierra Leone’s model.

The project, which will roll out in primary schools, is expected to set a new standard for education in Sierra Leone and across Africa.

With a delivery timeline of 16 weeks, it highlights the government’s commitment to advancing education and supporting local businesses, as Tiwai Memory Masters, a Sierra Leonean company, secured the contract.