By: Aminata Turay
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, donated digital school kits to Modern Elementary School and St. Joseph’s Primary School in Freetown. The initiative, implemented in partnership with the Orange Foundation, aims to support the government’s Free Quality Education agenda and enhance digital learning in early childhood education.
VP Jalloh described the donation as a celebration of excellence and reaffirmed that investing in education is central to Sierra Leone’s national development. Addressing both the pupils and staff, the Vice President praised the leadership and dedication of the schools, noting that their remarkable progress and commitment to academic growth influenced his choice to support them.
“As a government, we believe that education is the pathway to development. By investing in human capital, you are setting your people on a prosperous path,” he said. He also highlighted the government’s ongoing partnership with Orange, which supports 39 schools nationwide, and emphasized the importance of continued investment in digital learning infrastructure.
In a lighthearted moment, the Vice President presented iPads to the two top-performing pupils from each school, encouraging them to use the devices responsibly. “No TikTok on those iPads,” he joked, prompting laughter from the pupils and staff. He assured the schools of his continued support and promised to return next year with more initiatives to promote academic excellence and digital inclusion.
Education Minister Conrad Sackey described the event as “a decisive step toward reshaping the future of education.” He emphasized that technology has become “the currency of progress, innovation, and opportunity” and that such initiatives are crucial for equipping the next generation with the tools they need to succeed.
Orange Foundation’s Director General, Annie Wonnie-Katta, explained that the digital kits comprising tablets, laptops, projectors, and solar-powered servers preloaded with learning materials reflect Orange’s vision to bridge the digital divide and empower learners across Sierra Leone.
Both schools expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the donation. Mrs. Ellen Keili, proprietress of Modern Elementary School, called the donation a “timely 30th anniversary and Christmas gift.” Isata Bangura, a pupil at the school, spoke on behalf of her classmates, promising to use the new devices to improve their learning and achieve better academic results.
The event marked a significant step in Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to incorporate technology into education, empowering both students and teachers to enhance learning outcomes and foster innovation.
