Technical and Higher Education Minister explains Transformative Strides in Turkey, 18th December 2021
The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Prof. Alpha T. Wurie, has explained strides in Sierra Leone's Education sector to dignitaries at the 3rd Turkey-Africa summit in Istanbul, Turkey.
Dr Alpha T. Wurie (C-L) with Mr Mahmut Ozer (C-R)- Turkish Minister of Education
Explaining the genesis of how education began in Sierra Leone, he traced it 200 years ago when education accessibility was limited, and Fourah Bay College was the first in higher education in West Africa.
He explained that the country had been exposed to two shocks, the conflict in 1991 and the Ebola surge in 2014 and 2015. These shocks, he said, adversely affected the country.
He said in 2018, with free quality education, there have been significant improvements in the education sector with a rising budget allocation from 11% to 22%. Over 2. 6 million children are in schools and benefiting from free quality education.
The minister said they are also looking at two areas, the early childhood education and special needs attention for pregnant girls and women as they are now formally allowed to go to school, which has made an enormous difference. Explaining gaps in that area, he said there is a need for instructors for special needs education and pregnant girls as they have an 'Education Plus Initiative' program.
Dr Alpha T. Wurie (L) with Emily Gogra (R) - Deputy Minister of Basic and Secondary School Education
Turkish journalists also interviewed the minister. He expressed the willingness and desire of President Bio to continue the relationship with President Erdoğan of the Republic of Turkey, adding that the bilateral relationship between the two countries started over decades and was very recently consolidated into embassies in both countries. He went further to state that Sierra Leone is a tiny country with a population of seven million people, and the impact of Turkey can be visible and felt during this short period.
In another development, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture, William I.K Mason, showcases Sierra Leone's tourism sector in Turkey and compares Turkish tourism and Sierra Leone and what needs to be improved on for potential investment in Sierra Leone.
He said the industry needed more resources, more people and more staff training to attract more tourism and to meet the international standards. He also explained the need to source investors for the sector. He disclosed further that Sierra Leone has a rich culture and historical heritage urging Turkish investors to visit Sierra Leone.
For more enquiries:
Hawa Georgette Tucker
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone Embassy
Ankara Turkey
+905373554899
Email address: htucker@sierraleoneembassy.org.tr