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The leadership of the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), led by Minister Haja Ramatulai Wurie, has engaged staff of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) following the reopening of the Commission’s Secretariat.
The Minister, accompanied by Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, Permanent Secretary Mohamed Sheikh Kargbo, and other senior officials, visited the TEC Secretariat to assess operations, interact with staff, and discuss measures to strengthen the Commission as it resumes full operations.
Addressing staff, Dr Wurie reminded them that the Tertiary Education Commission remains the custodian of quality assurance in higher education and is responsible for maintaining standards across Sierra Leone’s tertiary education sector. She acknowledged that the institution faces challenges but stressed that such challenges should be viewed as opportunities for growth through unity, commitment, and strategic planning.
“Challenges need not define us; they become opportunities. Through focused and collective effort, we can strengthen the Commission and better serve the tertiary education sector,” she said.
She called on Management and Staff to develop clear short-, medium-, and long-term action plans, noting that immediate achievements should lay the foundation for medium-term progress and ultimately support the Commission’s long-term vision. She added that the proposed plans should be reviewed and approved by the Commissioner before implementation.
The Minister further highlighted the recommendations contained in the Public Sector Reform Unit’s Management and Functional Review, noting that the Ministry is engaging the Public Sector Reform Unit to provide updated recommendations aimed at strengthening the Commission’s statutory mandate.
Dr Wurie also underscored the importance of digital transformation, encouraging the Commission to integrate its accreditation processes with the WanGov one-stop platform to improve efficiency, transparency, data management, and service delivery. She emphasised the need for the public to have access to accurate information on quality assurance and accreditation through regularly updated lists of accredited institutions and programmes, while ensuring appropriate action is taken against non-compliant institutions in accordance with the revised TEC Act 2025.
She further stressed the importance of maintaining a fully functional and updated TEC website to enhance communication, transparency, and public access to information, assuring the Commission of the Ministry’s support through its Communication, Technology and Innovation Unit to strengthen its digital presence.
Speaking during the engagement, MTHE’s Permanent Secretary, Mohamed Sheick Kargbo, said direct interaction with staff enables the Ministry’s leadership to obtain first-hand information on the Commission’s operations beyond what is contained in written reports.
He noted that the Minister requires a comprehensive understanding of the realities on the ground to make informed decisions and identify practical measures to support the Commission in effectively carrying out its mandate.
Finally, TEC’s Administrative Manager, Josephus Sawyer, expressed appreciation to the Ministry for facilitating the reopening of the Secretariat and enabling staff to resume work. He thanked the Ministry for its continued engagement with the Commission, acknowledged the lessons learned during the transition period, reaffirmed the commitment of staff to the Commission’s mandate, and provided updates on current operations and immediate institutional priorities.
