MPs Call on New TEC Commissioners to Tackle Education Decline in Sierra Leone

July 25, 2024

On July 16, 2024, Sierra Leone's Members of Parliament urged the newly appointed Commissioners of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to address the declining education standards in the country.

During a debate on presidential nominees, MPs identified key issues such as the selling of grades and overcrowded classrooms. Moyamba District MP Ben Alpha Mansaray stressed the importance of transparency, noting discrepancies in university course content and falsification of data. He criticized the focus on material wealth over educational integrity.

Mansaray called for uniformity in course content and merit-based assessments for job applicants, highlighting the need to elevate Sierra Leone’s education to regional standards.

Deputy Leader of Government Business Bashiru Silikie reflected on the sacrifices of past lecturers and urged the TEC to update the curriculum for global competitiveness. He emphasized the need for increased funding for the commission.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Aaron Aruna Koroma pointed out variations in course contents and fee structures across universities, calling for uniformity and policies promoting local research. He criticized the reliance on foreign consultants.

Speaker of Parliament Segepoh Solomon Thomas reminded MPs of Sierra Leone’s educational prominence during colonial and early independence eras, stressing the collective responsibility to restore this status.

The newly approved TEC commissioners, Professor Osman A. Sonkoh, Edna M. Jones, Dr. Lawrence S. Babawo, and Haja Alimatu Abdallah, are tasked with revitalizing the education sector and aligning it with global standards.