By: Mohamed Sahr
In an effort of evolutionalizing access to education and advancing human capital development in Sierra Leone, Directorate of Science Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in partnership with UNICEF and Microsoft has launched digital learning passport for school going pupils on Thursday at its secretariat in Freetown.
Digging into the relevance of the package, it provides pupils with access to the entire school curriculum, including digitized past examination papers, ultimately saving parents across the country an estimated 1.3 million dollars previously used in purchasing these papers.
Dr. Sengeh David Sengeh, Chief Minister and Pioneer of DSTI said the learning passport would not just serve as a tool, but also portrayed as game-changer for Sierra Leonean pupils. He mentioned that the platform provided easy access to the entire curriculum, allowing students to study at their own pace, practice with past exam questions, and significantly improve their chances of success. “We are committed to enhancing the quality of education in Sierra Leone.” Chief Minister said.
Conrad Sackey, Minister of Education said the goal geared towards ensuring that every school going pupil in Sierra Leone, regardless of their location, would have access to quality education on a digital platter.
He furthered that the learning Passport served as a critical step in achieving basic education. “We are also excited about the platform’s potential to upskill our workforce through its human capital development component.” Mr. Sackey said.
James Houghton, UNICEF Sierra Leone’s Head of Innovation, expressed his enthusiasm for the project; noting that the learning passport could be viewed as a testament to the power of technology in education. He assured that it would not only save parents money by providing free access to educational materials but also empower students to take control of their learning journey.” “The Learning Passport offers a comprehensive digital platform for students, providing them with the tools they need to excel academically. Furthermore, it promotes continuous learning and skill development for civil servants and individuals already in the workforce, aligning with Sierra Leone’s commitment to nurturing a skilled and adaptable workforce, “Sackey said.
He revealed that the digital platform enhanced pupils to taking a giant stride towards a brighter and more equitable future, where education knows no boundaries, and the potential of every child and adult is realized.
Floydaline Davies, the pupil who got the highest score in the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) remained excited for such a platform. She added that the learning passport would serve as a game-changer in attaining their primary school education.
