Freetown, October 3, 2024 – In an effort to bolster Sierra Leone’s education system, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), Conrad Sackey, made unannounced visits to several schools in Freetown on October 2, 2024.
Accompanied by Permanent Secretary Brima Sowa and his team, the Minister inspected ongoing projects and held discussions with school leadership about critical challenges facing the institutions.
“Yesterday, I visited Services Secondary School, St. Joseph’s Secondary School, and Prince of Wales to assess their current needs and address some key concerns,” Sackey said. “It’s important we are actively engaged in ensuring the progress of these schools.”
At Services Secondary School in Juba, Acting Principal Alie Mohamed Bangura expressed his desire to shift to a single-shift system and highlighted the poor state of the school’s guidance and counseling unit.
Sackey reassured the principal, saying, “We will explore all available resources to restore this unit, and we will focus on guiding students toward non-traditional career paths.”
Bangura also raised concerns about the absence of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in the school’s new structures.
Sackey acknowledged this oversight and committed to addressing the issue through a separate program. “A separate program will handle the WASH needs, and I will personally follow up on President Bio’s promise to renovate two other buildings in dire condition,” Sackey added.
The contractor overseeing the Free Education Project at the school assured the Minister that construction of new classroom blocks was on track for completion by the end of October.
During his visit to St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Brookfields, Sackey inspected new classroom blocks, which are progressing well. However, like Services Secondary School, the principal raised concerns about the lack of WASH facilities, which Sackey acknowledged, stating, “This is a girls’ school, so it’s especially critical. Though it wasn’t part of the original plan, we will make the necessary adjustments to include these facilities.”
The principal also requested an office within the new structure to enhance supervision, but Sackey emphasized that the priority would be providing the WASH facilities first.
He further instructed the school to relocate nearby traders selling close to classroom windows. “A school is no place for a marketplace,” Sackey noted.
At Prince of Wales Secondary School in Kingtom, Sackey inspected the BADEA-funded project, which includes the construction of a three-story classroom building and renovation of existing structures.
“The contractors have increased their workforce to 70, working day and night shifts to fast-track the project,” he explained, expressing confidence that significant progress would be made in the coming weeks.
In closing, Sackey praised the efforts of staff and contractors at all the schools visited. “I want to express my gratitude to the hardworking staff and contractors dedicated to providing our pupils with a better learning environment. We are committed to addressing the challenges and ensuring President Bio’s promises are fulfilled,” Sackey said.
These unannounced visits are part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education across the country.
