The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Haja Ramatulai Wurie, has reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to enhancing technical, vocational, and higher education in Sierra Leone. Speaking at the weekly government press briefing on Tuesday, November 26, Minister Wurie outlined her ministry’s mandate and the strides being made to align education policies with national development goals.
Minister Wurie emphasized that her ministry oversees Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), universities, and other higher institutions. It also plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the government’s investment in the Free Quality Education initiative.
She revealed that under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, the government has allocated over 20% of the national budget to the education sector. This funding ensures access to pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary education, laying a solid foundation for the country’s socio-economic transformation.
“Our focus is on building on this foundation by equipping young people with the relevant skills to contribute to Sierra Leone’s development,” she stated.
Minister Wurie highlighted significant advancements in integrating digital systems into higher education and vocational training. With support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the ministry has introduced Learning Management Systems (LMS) to universities.
“This online platform integrates technology into our higher education systems, enabling functionalities such as real-time dashboards for students, educators, and ministry officials,” she explained. The LMS will also be expanded to include TVET institutions, offering critical data such as class performance and enrollment records, which will guide policy decisions and educational improvements.
The Minister also acknowledged support from the Commonwealth of Learning, which is assisting the ministry in implementing distance education. This initiative addresses the challenges posed by the overwhelming demand for physical university infrastructure due to the success of the Free Quality Education program.
Minister Wurie underscored the importance of TVET in strengthening the middle-level workforce essential for national development. She noted ongoing efforts to change public perceptions of TVET as a “dropout option.”
“Our strategy focuses on aligning TVET programs with labor market demands, empowering the informal sector, and certifying skilled individuals,” she said.
The ministry has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to upskill the informal sector and pilot a certification project for skilled workers. Additionally, collaboration with India’s National Skills Development Corporation will introduce online technical and soft skills training, fostering professional growth.
Minister Wurie reiterated that the ministry’s activities align with the government’s national development plan and the “Big Five Game Changers” agenda. She emphasized the ongoing work to develop supportive policy documents and expand TVET offerings to bolster Sierra Leone’s human capital.
The Minister’s remarks highlight the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education’s proactive measures to enhance access to quality education, integrate digital learning platforms, and revamp vocational training. These efforts, supported by key international partnerships, are poised to contribute significantly to Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development.
