Ministry Of Information and Civic Education

Ministry Of Information and Civic Education

2/5/2025, 2:48:37 PM

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ *Ministry of Information and Civic Education's Press Conference* *Tuesday 4th February 2025* *KEY HIGHLIGHTS* *By: Zacharia Jalloh, Strategic Communications Unit, Ministry of Information and Civic Education* The Ministry of Information and Civic Education weekly press conference on Tuesday, 4th February 2025, addressed key national issues, including environmental conservation, education reforms, digital learning, and security updates. The briefing featured statements from Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Conrad Sackey, Minister of Technical and Higher Education Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, and Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu. The following are the key highlights: ♦ *Government’s Commitment to Environmental Protection* The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, reaffirmed the government's dedication to preserving the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and its surrounding environment. Citing a recent press release from the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, he expressed grave concern over the increasing encroachment in the sanctuary's vicinity. Minister Bah warned that any unauthorized construction within the protected area is illegal and will result in severe consequences, including arrest, prosecution, imprisonment, and demolition of structures. He further disclosed that President Julius Maada Bio has directed the immediate demolition of any structures encroaching on the sanctuary, underscoring the government's firm stance on environmental conservation, as reflected in the national civic education strategy. ♦ *Updates on Education Reforms* Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, provided an update on the Continuous Assessment Scores (CAS) system, which accounts for 30% of students’ final examination grades. Schools must continuously update their CAS records annually, with the system only permitting further entries if previous years' records have been updated. He reported that 163,797 pupils from 892 schools are currently registered in the system, a significant increase from last year’s 147,000 pupils from 816 schools. Minister Sackey revealed that 880 of the 892 schools have successfully uploaded their CAS-2 records. However, 12 schools failed to comply, including four government schools, four private schools, and four schools with incomplete records. As a punitive measure, government schools failing to comply will have their salaries withheld for six months, as all necessary support had been provided. Furthermore, he urged parents, boards of governors, and Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure schools complete their batch registration process, which currently stands at only 32% completion, before the February 7, 2025, deadline to prevent students from being disqualified from taking their exams. The Minister also introduced the Teacher Licensing Process, aimed at enhancing the quality of teaching. Educators will be required to pass an examination and undergo professional skills training before acquiring a license. The Ministry’s long-term vision is to ensure that licensed teachers not only improve the quality of education in Sierra Leone but also qualify to teach in other African countries. In 2024, 4,000 teachers were recruited, to ensure all of them obtain licenses. ♦ *Higher Education and Digital Learning Initiatives* Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, highlighted major reforms in the higher education sector, particularly efforts to strengthen regulatory authorities to sustain investment and quality in education. She announced that the Tertiary Education Commission Act and the National Council for Technical, Vocational, and Other Academic Awards (NCTVA) Act of 2001 had been reviewed, amended, and passed by Parliament to align with modern educational needs. To advance digital learning, Minister Wurie informed the public of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of Sierra Leone (Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation & Ministry of Technical and Higher Education) and ELCOME SL LTD, a high-speed internet provider. Under this agreement, Starlink Internet will be provided to all higher learning institutions in the country. Students will have affordable internet access, and a whitelisted website for educational purposes will be made available free of charge. ♦ *Security Updates from the Sierra Leone Police* Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, addressed several security concerns: 1. *Jos Leijdekkers Case*: The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has received no official communication from any foreign entity, including Interpol, regarding the alleged drug kingpin Jos Leijdekkers. Open-source investigations have confirmed that the individual circulating in pictures on social media is actually Umar Sheriff. The police urge the public to assist in locating him. 2. *Guinea Drug Incident:* A delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Kabba, alongside SLP officials, is currently in Guinea to investigate the recent cocaine seizure involving a vehicle belonging to the Sierra Leone Embassy. The objective of the visit is to gather facts, and the government will provide further updates upon the delegation’s return to Freetown. 3. *Unauthorized Aircraft & Submarine Vessel:* The unidentified aircraft that landed at Lungi Airport and the makeshift submarine boat spotted at Tombo were both thoroughly searched, with forensic tests yielding negative results for any illicit substances or activities. 4. *Appeal for International Support:* IGP Sellu called on development partners to support Sierra Leone in capacity building to combat transnational crimes, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and other security threats. *For further enquiries:* www.moice.gov.sl

Ministry Of Information and Civic Education

1/31/2025, 11:18:27 AM

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ *The Ministry of Information and Civic Education, under the visionary leadership of Chernor A. Bah, organized the inaugural Civic Festival to foster dialogue by bridging the gap between the government and the populace. This two-day festival has been widely acclaimed as both historic and progressive, with numerous citizens advocating for it to become an annual tradition.* *Our gratitude goes to Minister Chernor Bah for his dedication and commitment to serving the people of Sierra Leone.* *#SaloneBigPassWiAll* *Download and view this video.*

Ministry Of Information and Civic Education

1/30/2025, 8:39:59 PM

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ *MTHE and MoCTI Take High-Speed Internet to Universities, delivering on digital transformation* *Read more here:* https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19sXa5bZae/

Ministry Of Information and Civic Education

2/1/2025, 6:00:28 PM

MoICE Deputy Minister Strengthens Bilateral Ties with Indian High Commissioner Ministry of Information and Civic Education Communications The Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Bockarie Abdel-Aziz Bawoh, has met with the Indian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, His Excellency B. C. Pradhan, and the Head of Chancery, Mr. Neeraj Kumar Saini. Speaking to the High Commissioner and the Head of Chancery during the visit, Deputy Minister Bawoh emphasised Sierra Leone's hospitality and the nation's deep appreciation for visitors. He outlined the purpose of the meeting, stressing the importance of fostering stronger bilateral relations through the exchange of ideas, culture, and opportunities between Sierra Leone and India. "Our ministry is relatively new, and we are actively seeking reliable and strategic partnerships. We strongly believe that India is one of the key nations with whom we can build such a relationship," he stated. The deputy minister also highlighted the mandate of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, explaining that President Dr. Julius Maada Bio entrusted the ministry with the responsibility of promoting national unity and encouraging citizens to prioritize their country's development. Minister Bawoh further inquired about the availability of Indian visa services in Sierra Leone, recognizing the importance of facilitating travel for educational, business, and diplomatic engagements. Responding to his inquiry, Mr. Neeraj Kumar Saini expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and noted that Sierra Leone was his first posting in Africa. He commended the hospitality of the Sierra Leonean people and assured the deputy minister of his commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties between both countries. His Excellency B. C. Pradhan thanked the deputy minister and his team for the visit. He clarified that Indian visas are available online, making the application process simple and accessible to Sierra Leoneans who wish to travel to India. The High Commissioner also highlighted the numerous educational opportunities available in India, spanning from technical and vocational training to postgraduate and PhD programs. He encouraged the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to explore these opportunities, which could greatly benefit Sierra Leonean students and professionals. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing a commitment to deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including education, cultural exchange, and diplomatic engagement.

Ministry Of Information and Civic Education

2/3/2025, 12:59:10 PM

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ *The Business Unit of the Office of the Administration and Registrar General (OARG) currently located at Roxy Building, No. 28 Walpole Street, Freetown, will officially relocate its operations to the NIB Secretariat at No. 3 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Dwozark Junction Freetown (near mereweather school).*