FREETOWN, Sep. 13 (232News) – Community Action to Restore Lives (CARL) has joined other global bodies to discuss gains and challenges in the educational sector in commemoration of International Literacy Day (ILD) by calling for the regulation of private schools.
During a press conference at CARL head office in Freetown to mark the day which was celebrated on the 8th September with the theme “Literacy for a human centered recovery: narrowing the digital divide,” different speakers collectively spoke about quality and accessibility of quality education for all.
CARL Program Manager, Aruna P.S. Larkoh, recalled that the day was declared by UNESCO on 26th October 1966 at the 14th Session of United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization general conference. It was celebrated for the first time in September 1967.
Larkoh went on to say the vision of President Bio speaks to the ILD theme “literacy for a human centered recovery: narrowing the digital divide”.
They used the day also to submerge education campaign spike, which is principally looking at the rights to quality public education for all children in Sierra Leone and calling for the regulation of private schools, which when not regulated widens inequalities in education.
CARL partners like OXFAM and YACAN shared strong solidarity statements:
OXFAM Influencing Coordinator, Nuru Deen said they believed strongly that education is a right as stated in Sierra Leone constitution and it must be fulfill, promoted and respected through that citizens must demand for that right.
“We are partners with them for us to ensure that the rights on education are respected”
He went on to say people should know their rights, fight and ensure that their right is respected.
He added that education address lot of issues therefore privatization of the educational sector is not welcome and it must not left in the hands of the private sector for it not to be abuse by them because the focus of the private schools is to make huge profits.
YACAN Executive Director Hassan Fuad Kanu disclosed that they are members of a consortium that is supporting such campaign and call on the government to regulate the education sector.
He went on to say they have released a petition through the Ministry of Basis and Secondary Education (MBSSE) for them to regulate the private schools for them not to increase fees among other subsidiary due to the negative impact of COVID.
“They should not charge a fee that is higher than university fees.”
Reactions and comments relating to making public schools better and the regulation of private schools, Hon. Dominic L. Tshmobe described the day as a well celebrated one and as a government they welcomed it.
Hon. Tshmobe spoke about the 22% budget allocated on education by the government which he said was the biggest in the history of education in the country.
He recalled how they inherited an educational system that was not structured, no curriculum and syllabus for schools.
“We took responsibility for payment of fees and other activities.”
He said because of the value they added in the education drive, there are not enough structures through that government and government assisted schools are overcrowded.
“We alone as a Government can’t provide all that is required for education, our basic budget will not be enough for us to support education, we need support from others.”
Hon. Tshmobe pointed out that they have four principal pillars which include: Radical inclusion, Quality and access to basic education and Universal safety.
He said private schools must not take advantage of the lapses as there has not been any regulatory policy by the government for them.
“The learning atmospheres are not conducive for some private schools. MBSSE is working on policy to regulate the private schools because every man needs to be regulated and they must cooperate. As a Government we need to fast track the policy.”
He said the regulation will not only limited on fees but include location, structures among other facilities.
Statement was also made by CARL Executive Director Madiana N.B. Samba while Magdalene Jimmy of CARL read an open letter to the Minister of MBSSE.
