By Mohamed M. Sesay
During the maiden launch of the Transforming Education Summit at the Raddison Blu Hotel, the Minister of Higher and Technical Education Professor Alpha Wurie, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Dr. David Sengeh, and the Resident Coordinator of the United Nation, have yesterday the 1st of June 2022, commended UNICEF’S Transform Education Summit which geared towards ameliorating the educational standards across the country.
In his statement, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nation Dr. Babatude A. Ahonsi, intimated that the national consultation for the transforming education summit is very timely as nine out of ten children cannot read and understand a simple text in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He added that the Transforming Education Summit intends to put the spotlight on education and provide an opportunity for education stakeholders to advocate for sufficient, effective and equitable financing of education at global and domestic levels.
The overall objective is to harness the evolving discussions on transforming education, elaborate initial content for the Summit, and generate greater momentum in the lead up to September.
Dr. Ahonsi also acknowledged that the Summit seeks to mobilize political ambition, action, solutions and solidarity to transform education and to take stock of efforts to recover pandemic-related learning losses; and also to reimagine education systems for the world of today and tomorrow; and to revitalize national and global efforts to achieve SDG-4.
Dr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi, furthered that the poignant scene that they have the privilege to witness everyday here in Sierra Leone is a stark reminder of what has been accomplished so far in term of access to education in this country and the work that they must do.
“The simple truth is that, today, well into the 21st century, millions of children and young people are still not in school, and millions of those are in school are not really learning, not really achieving the kind of learning that is relevant for their lives in the world they are living in” he said.
He maintained that in 2021, UN Secretary-General Guterers announced that a transforming education summit (TES) would be convened in September 2022 as a global strategy to avert a generational catastrophe and rethinking education system, especially in the context of COVID-19, which has disrupted education system globally, and also affecting the most vulnerable learners the hardest.
He concluded by underscoring the importance of the Transforming Education Summit because heads of states and leaders of nations and global institutions must commit not just to accelerate the pace, but actually to reimagine and transform education system.
Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary education, Dr. Moinina David Sengeh, in his words, said education and teaching have always been at the heart of progress.
He said it’s the foundation that is expected to sustain brilliant breakthroughs, manage risks, and inspire continuous development. The only way the education sector can provide a strong foundation is if it continuously evolves and adapts to the needs of society.
He further that the teaching and education summit 2022 is an interactive event and knowledge platform for everyone involved in the field of education, and the goal of TES summit 2022 is to create an environment that facilitates conversations and the exchange of ideas that move the field forward, inspire collaboration, and create a bridge that connects ideas and minds from around the world.
He said they have gone far for the past two years in the educational sector, in public examinations, said more children are known passing public examination than before.
He thanked the president Bio for allocating 20% of it national budget into the educational system to enhance every child to be able to access to free and quality education in every part of the country.
He concluded by thanked all the partners for ensuring that they have the pre-summit to discuss way forward in improving education in the country.
