By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN, May 20 (232news.com) – Africell Sierra Leone Limited in collaboration with Teach For School launched the TeachMi Project at its headquarters in Freetown on Friday 29th April, 2022. Nicknamed ‘Skool na mi phone’ featuring ‘Ask-a-Teacher’, the project is aimed at teaching schools’ pupils and students’ various subjects using the mobile phone platform.
Joe Abass Bangura, Africell’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, described education as making a great difference in the country and that his company is committed to providing the space through digital access. He said the project enables students to take part through an SMS platform and added that those who want to access the program should dial *4910# to register for the service and enter for daily, weekly or monthly services.
“The system will ask you your grade level and bring you the subject options, topics to cover, and questions you want to go through. It gives an opportunity to do a live chat with a teacher and gives you scores after answering to questions and also answers questions provided,” he said and added that learners with different areas can learn, chat and ask questions during weekdays from 8 AM to 9 PM and that daily cost is Le1,000, while weekly is Le6,300 and monthly is Le24,000.
“Parents should ensure that they give their children targets to learn through their mobile phones,” Bangura remarked.
The Chief Executive Officer of Teach for Salone, Josephine Saidu, said the platform is aimed at leveraging education in Sierra Leone. “I have a vision that someday all children will get quality and basic education irrespective of their gender. She commended Africell for coming onboard to ensure that children get an education. Her establishment, Saidu said is committed to complementing the government’s effort in providing quality education for all and went further to reveal that over 6000 teachers have been trained by her organization and that more than 6000 will be trained to be part of the system this year. She assured all that the Teachers on the new platform are committed to answering questions at all times. “Our aim is to provide quality education and bridge the education gap. Students can use the platform to study and ask questions through the mobile platform. Teach for Salone will continue to explore learning opportunities for children and smooth the path for education in Sierra Leone,” she assured.
Representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP), lauded the initiative and assured of a continued long term relationship with Sierra Leone in addressing educational challenges. They noted that the launch of the TeachMi Project shows that Sierra Leone is on the right path to improving education and transforming the country.
UNDP representative
They thanked Africell for taking the lead in the education of children and youth, as the company is always committed to giving back to society.
A Director in the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Victor A. Sesay
Said with TeachMi Sierra Leone, it will keep the ministry on its feet to support children and further develop the education sector. He thanked Africell for supporting with teaching and learning materials and providing other mobile communication packages and other supports at the tertiary education level. Distance learning, Sesay said is no longer an option but a matter of must as schools are becoming choked up with increasing enrolments. “Africell should work closely with the university for the betterment of the economy. I look forward to a closer collaboration in terms of research and development,” he said.
Officially Launching the project, the Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission, Conrad Sackey, revealed that the new learning platform is very relevant in building a resilient educational system. He added that it is coming at a time when the country is having a challenge in the education system as teachers are on strike for better conditions of service. “Such a platform will help pupils and students continuous learning. It will help have specialized teachers from remote areas to give their knowledge. The platform will help the learners be independent learners. It helps parents to support their kids at home,” he said.
