By Thaimu T Kamara
The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) and the Office of the Chief Minister have held a strategic delivery clinic at State House to review priority programmes, set measurable targets and strengthen accountability for the next 12 months.
The high-level meeting brought together Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer Dr Josephus Brimah, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Christiana Samu and other senior officials.
The session focused on translating government’s education priorities into clear, measurable and time-bound deliverables, while identifying implementation challenges and setting targets for 2027 and the early part of 2028.
Addressing officials at the clinic, Dr Sengeh urged ministries and agencies to establish clear indicators for their programmes to improve accountability and ensure that progress can be effectively tracked.
He said the exercise was important for strengthening implementation under the Seven-Year National Development Plan and annual work plans.
According to the Chief Minister, the delivery clinic would help government identify key commitments for 2027 and early 2028, while providing an opportunity to identify and address bottlenecks that could hinder implementation.
He also emphasised the need for collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Finance and the National Monitoring and Evaluation Agency to ensure that priority programmes are adequately planned, financed and monitored.
Presenting the ministry’s strategic priorities, Deputy Minister Aziz-Kamara outlined several areas that will receive attention over the coming year.
These include sustainable financing for education, expanding access to technical and higher education, digital transformation, infrastructure development, policy reform, improved learning environments and renewable energy.
He disclosed plans to upgrade five Government Technical Institutes under a regional model and transform them into Community Technical Colleges by 2027.
The initiative, he said, would be implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and is expected to expand access to technical and vocational education while responding to the skills needs of communities across the country.
Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Christiana Samu further outlined the ministry’s planned deliverables, identifying seven major priority areas.
These include sustainable financing, increased access, digital transformation, infrastructure development, policy reform, improved learning environments and renewable energy.
Among the major projects highlighted was the medical school in Bo, which is expected to accommodate approximately 1,200 students when fully operational.
The ministry also plans to establish a School of Mining at Fourah Bay College in collaboration with FG Gold. The proposed school is expected to strengthen specialised training and provide students with the technical knowledge and practical skills required by Sierra Leone’s growing mining sector.
Preparations are also continuing for the bicentenary of Fourah Bay College, with a proposed US$200 million fundraising campaign being considered to support the institution’s long-term development and expansion.
Other projects highlighted during the clinic include the construction of a new Tertiary Education Commission Secretariat and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the Government Technical Institute in Mattru.
The ministry is also prioritising the expansion of affordable student accommodation as part of efforts to improve access and create better learning conditions for students in tertiary institutions.
Officials further discussed the continued development of the University of Science and Technology in Kono, which remains part of the government’s broader efforts to expand higher education opportunities beyond the capital and other major urban centres.
On policy reform, Ms Samu highlighted several initiatives currently being developed or implemented. These include the Centralised Admissions Secretariat, the Student Loan Scheme Strategic Plan, the National Qualifications Framework and a National Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education.
Meanwhile, Dr Josephus Brimah disclosed plans to establish a specialised mining training facility in Valunia Chiefdom, Bo District, with support from FG Gold through Fourah Bay College.
He said work on the facility is expected to begin in early 2027 and noted that it would provide students with practical, hands-on experience in mining-related activities.
The facility is expected to complement classroom-based instruction by giving students opportunities to acquire practical skills that can improve their employability and prepare them for careers in the mining industry.
The strategic delivery clinic forms part of government’s wider efforts to translate national development priorities into measurable targets, clear timelines and accountable implementation.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of addressing financing, infrastructure and other challenges affecting the education sector.
With the targets and priorities identified, MTHE is expected to continue working with relevant government institutions and development partners to ensure that programmes are implemented effectively and that progress is regularly monitored.
The clinic therefore represents an important step towards strengthening delivery, improving accountability and ensuring that investments in technical and higher education produce tangible results for students and the wider population.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 2nd September 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
