On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the Parliament of Sierra Leone passed the Tertiary Education Commission Act, 2024, with some amendments, marking a crucial step towards advancing the nation’s educational framework.

The legislation underwent rigorous examination by the Legislative Committee and the Committee of the Whole House prior to its approval. The primary aim of the Bill is to regulate Tertiary Education Institutions throughout Sierra Leone and address various related matters to enhance the quality of education.

Presenting the Legislative Committee’s report, Chairman Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh assured fellow Members of Parliament that the Bill had been thoroughly scrutinized. He emphasized that the report reflected a unanimous decision by the Committee, which included consultations with professionals and experts to ensure comprehensive evaluation. The Chairman detailed the various aspects of the Bill, such as its contents, clauses, functions, responsibilities, management structure, tenure of office, penalties, and remuneration, were meticulously reviewed.

In a related development, Parliament also passed the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education Act, 2025, on the same day. This legislation aims to reinforce the National Council for Technical, Vocational, and Academic Awards, which will now be known as the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education. It seeks to provide accreditation, validation, examination, and certification services for specialized and professional programs across formal, non-formal, and informal sectors.

Both Bills were introduced by Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, and underwent similar scrutiny and amendments before being enacted into law. These legislative actions signify a pivotal advancement in Sierra Leone’s education sector, aiming to foster a more robust and regulated educational environment.

Credit – SLENA