By Musa T. Swarray
Sierra Leone has witnessed a significant rise in the number of professionals holding master’s and PhD degrees over the last few decades. However, despite this increase in academic qualifications, the performance of governmental institutions continues to decline. This paradox raises an important question: Is our current academic structure aligned with the nation’s developmental needs? In the 1970s through the early 1990s, there were fewer degree holders, yet institutions functioned more efficiently. Today, despite a wealth of professionals in various fields, challenges persist in infrastructure, justice, economy, and healthcare. This situation necessitates a critical examination of our academic and vocational education systems.
- Revamping Technical and Vocational Education (TVET)
The decline of technical and vocational institutions has left a significant gap in skilled labor. Not everyone needs an advanced degree to contribute meaningfully to national development. Government policies should elevate the status of TVET graduates by ensuring competitive salaries and clear career progression paths. Countries like Germany and South Korea have achieved economic success by integrating vocational training alongside academic education. Sierra Leone must adopt a similar approach to bridge the gap between knowledge and practical application.
- Shifting from Degree-Driven Employment to Competency-Based Hiring
The current system disproportionately rewards academic qualifications over practical skills, resulting in a workforce that is well-educated on paper but lacks real-world expertise. Implementing strict performance-based appraisals and promotions would ensure that only competent individuals rise within institutions. Employers should prioritize skills, experience, and innovation over mere academic credentials.
- Strengthening Institutional Accountability and Governance
Many institutions underperform not due to a lack of professionals but because of weak governance structures, corruption, and inefficiency. Having qualified individuals in positions is insufficient without strong accountability mechanisms. Implementing stringent evaluation processes and ethical standards is essential to fostering institutional efficiency and effectiveness.
- Balancing Academic and Practical Knowledge
While advanced degrees play a critical role in national development, they must be complemented with hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world experience. Universities and technical institutions should collaborate with industries to ensure graduates are equipped with marketable skills. Internship programs, apprenticeships, and industry partnerships should be integrated into academic curricula.
- Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Local Innovation
Despite having numerous experts in engineering, medicine, and other fields, Sierra Leone continues to rely on foreign expertise for infrastructure development. To address this, there must be greater investment in research and development (R&D) to foster local innovation. Incentivizing entrepreneurship and supporting homegrown solutions will reduce reliance on foreign intervention and build a more self-sufficient economy.
- Reforming Salary Structures and Career Incentives
A degree should not automatically guarantee a high-paying job unless there is demonstrated ability and performance. Technical and vocational graduates should be valued equally with university graduates. This will create a more balanced workforce where practical skills and academic knowledge contribute collectively to national growth.
Conclusion
Education reform must be accompanied by governance reform. The proliferation of degrees alone will not solve systemic inefficiencies unless there is a clear link between qualifications, competency, and institutional accountability. Prioritizing vocational training, shifting from degree-based hiring to performance-based hiring, and ensuring institutions function effectively are key to reversing the current trend. By redefining our educational and institutional frameworks, Sierra Leone can build a future where skills, innovation, and accountability drive national progress.