The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) convened a significant stakeholder meeting on April 3, 2025, aimed at improving access to tertiary education for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Sierra Leone.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, highlighted the urgent need for collaborative efforts among various government sectors and civil society organizations.

Chaired by MTHE’s Permanent Secretary, Mohamed Sheick Kargbo, the gathering included representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), higher education institutions, and disability rights advocates. The diverse participation underscored a collective commitment to addressing the barriers faced by PWDs in accessing higher education.

Professor Edwin Momoh, Vice-Chancellor of the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST), raised pivotal concerns regarding the challenges of implementing inclusive education policies. He emphasized the complexity of identifying students with disabilities and the need for clarity regarding who qualifies for special support. “The identification process for PWDs in tertiary education is becoming increasingly complex, as more students claim disability status without proper verification,” he noted.

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In response, Mawusie Dumbuya, Information, Communication, and Outreach Manager at the NCPD, reminded attendees of the legal framework established by the 2011 Persons with Disabilities Act, which guarantees free tertiary education for PWDs at accredited institutions. He pointed out that compliance among private institutions has been insufficient, calling for strict enforcement of this provision.

Dumbuya proposed the creation of a medical board to certify PWDs and streamline the documentation process necessary for educational access. He suggested that collaboration among universities, MTHE, NCPD, and the Ministry of Health is essential for data collection and incorporating a disability category in university admission forms.

Hon. Julius Nye Cuffie, CEO of Disability Confidential Sierra Leone, echoed the need for a decentralized medical board to facilitate verification and recommended that each tertiary institution establish a dedicated disability support office. This proposal aligns with the National Framework for Mainstreaming Disability Issues, which aims to integrate disability considerations into all sectors.

The Ministry of Social Welfare, represented by Mariatu Bangura, reiterated its commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, including PWDs. She advocated for the formation of a dedicated committee to manage the certification process and highlighted the importance of addressing infrastructure challenges in higher education institutions to better accommodate PWDs.

Ernestina Berri, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Health, expressed ongoing support from the health sector and stressed the importance of sustainable funding for disability services within universities.

Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, clarified that the current Free Quality Education program is limited to primary and secondary levels, emphasizing that coordination is vital for any future support for tertiary students with disabilities. He proposed that the Ministry of Social Welfare take the lead in collecting data on PWDs to facilitate a smoother certification process.