By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
Sierra Leone’s Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), with support from key partners in the educational sector, has successfully concluded a two-day capacity-building workshop aimed at enhancing the quality of education in higher learning institutions across Sierra Leone.
The workshop, held at the prestigious Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown from August 5 to 7, 2025, brought together prominent figures in the country’s education sector, including chancellors, principals, deans, academic staff, student representatives, civil society actors, and education policymakers from across the nation.
Under the theme “Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education,” the workshop focused on pathways to improve “quality assurance mechanisms” within the educational system. Key discussions covered topics such as curriculum development, academic integrity, and the need to align with international educational standards to enhance the quality of tertiary education in Sierra Leone.
In his address, Professor Mohamed Alghali, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), emphasized the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that Sierra Leone’s higher education system meets global benchmarks.
He noted that while access to tertiary education has improved in recent years, issues of quality and relevance remain major challenges.
“We must go beyond simply enrolling students. Our institutions must provide education that is relevant to the country’s needs and prepares graduates for global competitiveness,” Professor Alghali stated.
Dr. Fatmata Wurie, Dean of the Social Sciences Faculty at Njala University, described the workshop as “timely and transformative.” She strongly urged the Commission to institutionalize such initiatives across the country.
“Many of us leave here with renewed knowledge and a sense of responsibility to push for reforms within our various institutions,” she said.
Among the key issues discussed, the establishment of a robust regulatory framework for coordination between TEC, the Ministry of Higher Education, and other oversight bodies was highlighted as critical to avoiding duplication and inefficiencies.
The intensive three-day workshop featured resource persons from various tertiary institutions both within and outside Sierra Leone. Experts included representatives from the Association of African Universities (AAU), the National Accreditation Board of Ghana, the University of Sierra Leone, Njala University, Unimark University, and other renowned institutions.
Participants took part in practical sessions on internal quality assurance frameworks, performance-based evaluation, and digital transformation in education.
This significant gathering is a testament to the Tertiary Education Commission’s readiness to support a modernized educational system within Sierra Leone’s tertiary institutions.
The workshop concluded with a communiqué urging all higher education institutions to collaborate with TEC to align their academic courses and infrastructure with modern skills and learning outcomes, ensuring that students are well-positioned to compete in the international job market.