October 6, 2021
By Aruna Kamara (BO)
The outgoing Deputy Director of Education in the Ministry of Basic and Senior Education in Bo District, Joseph MB Sesay has officially handed over office to his successor, Ibrahim Yayah Fofanah.
The handing over ceremony, which attracted education stakeholders including pupils, took place at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Secondary School in Bo on 4th October 2021.
“This is a very sad day for me as I am going to miss a good number of friends. I just need to answer to the request of my boss to go to Port Loko, which is my home and there I may retire. I must go because that is the wish of my boss.’’ The outgoing deputy director of education said.
He noted that even though he is going, he made a lot of changes in the educational sector in Bo District, as according to him, the district is now proud of good result in NPSE and BECE this year, and expressed the hope that his successor will continue with his good work.
“The time I came to Bo, most of the principals and their vice were in acting positions and I facilitated to ensuring that their positions become substantive”, Mr. Sesay added.
He said that he inherited a District with one inspector of school and thankfully he is now leaving newly recruited quality assurances officers who were formerly called inspectors of schools.
Mr. Sesay thanked the educational stakeholders including the Bo City and the District councils, and the NGOS including World Vision for their support.
The Chairman of Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS) in Bo District, Denis Momoh said that he is bidding farewell to Mr. Sesay with a heavy heart, who has been working hard with the CPSS to change the narrative of the falling standard of education in Bo District.
He said that they are expecting the incoming Deputy Director of Education to work with us to continue with the good work of Mr, Sesay.
The Regional Convener of Civil Society in the Southern region, Mustapha Kapa said that the outgoing deputy director of education has been closely working with the CSOs to achieve the gains he made mentioned of and that they are expecting the incoming to do likewise.
The Incoming Bo District Deputy Director of Education in Bo District promised to continue with the good work of his predecessor, whom according to him has set the bar high for him.
“I do not know it all as I believe in team work. I rely on you all to work as a team in Bo District. I am simple but difficult, particularly for those who do not want to work towards the improvement of education in the country,’’ Mr. Fofanah said, adding that in all the areas I have worked I have left a legacy for which I will be remembered for.
He called on the inspectors of schools to work with him, and try to identify teachers for training on curriculum, which will take place in this month.
The Regional Coordinator of Basic Education in the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School, Hassan Bangura said that the legacy of the outgoing deputy director of education cannot be easily forgotten and pleaded with the incoming deputy director of education to continue with the good work of his predecessor to changing the narrative of the education by making sure that there is a single digit in 2022 NPSE, BECE and WASSCE.