By Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) organized a pivotal workshop aimed at developing a service charter for technical and higher education institutions across Sierra Leone. Held at the Family Kingdom in Freetown, the event was led by MTHE’s Director of Research, Planning, and Development, Sia Fasuluku, and attracted wide participation from stakeholders in the education sector.
The service charter initiative is designed to delineate the commitments and expectations of educational institutions, promoting effectiveness in service delivery. MTHE’s Director of Human Resource, Rebecca Saffa, opened the workshop by emphasizing the charter’s role in clarifying the services offered and the standards and timelines for their delivery.
Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of MTHE, formally inaugurated the workshop, underscoring the charter’s importance in realizing the Ministry’s vision of an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable education system. She highlighted that the charter represents a commitment to quality education, accountability, and transparency. Dr. Wurie outlined six key focus areas: quality education, accessibility and inclusivity, student support services, accountability and transparency, collaborations and partnerships, and continuous improvement. These areas are crucial for the enhancement of Sierra Leone’s education system.
Dr. Wurie also acknowledged the World Bank’s support for the initiative, stressing the necessity of their collaboration for the effective implementation of the service charters.
A draft service charter was presented by MTHE’s Deputy Secretary, Teslim Othman, through a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation. The draft outlined the processes for requesting services and measures for monitoring and evaluating service delivery. Participants responded positively, appreciating the draft as a significant step toward improving the education sector.
Emmanuel J. Momoh ESQ., Director of Higher Education at MTHE, discussed three key principles in developing a service charter: identification of an organization and its customers, communication, and customer service standards and rights. He highlighted the importance of the charter in holding institutions accountable to the public.
The workshop also featured a plenary group session, facilitated by MTHE’s Director of Science Education, Fatmata Kaiwa. Participants were divided into groups to discuss and provide input on the draft service charter, resulting in a productive exchange of ideas and valuable recommendations.
The successful workshop marks a significant milestone in the MTHE’s efforts to enhance the quality and accountability of higher education in Sierra Leone.
