Newly Constructed Farandugu Village primary school
By Steven Bockarie Mansaray Kabala
President Ernest Bai Koroma has described education in Kabala as "deplorable" and "the worst in the country".
He made this statement in the headquarter town of the northern district of Koinadugu during the commissioning over the weekend of two primary schools and a secondary school constructed by businessman, Momoh Conteh.
The president said that one of the challenges faced by the Koinadugu district headquarter town was the lack of proper education adding that his government would try to ensure that they improved the educational system in the district.
He said he was shocked to realise that for the past two academic years none of the pupils in Kabala had acquired a university entry requirement, adding that his his presence in the town was not only to commission the schools but also to motivate pupils to be focused and ready to learn.
“We have some qualified and educated individuals from Kabala, and with more effort we can change the educational system in the district” the president said, adding that education was the best gift a parent could give to their children calling it "an everlasting investment". He urged parents and teachers to send their girls to school as “educating a girl child is one of my government's priorities”.
He commended Momoh Conteh for "singlehandedly constructing" the schools in the district. “If we have more Mr. Conteh’s in the country, government will have less burden to cater for its people” he said.
President Koroma urged other Sierra Leonean to inculcate the habit of giving back to their communities, adding “No matter how poor you are, you can still give back to others”. He said it was the responsibility of government to meet the needs of its peoples, but was quick to add that people also had the responsibility to give back to their communities one way or the other. “Giving back is one thing I like to do, and I am a generous man” the president said.
Momoh Conteh commended the president for honouring his invitation and for also "inspiring the young pupils" about the importance of education. He said he was building four primary schools, one court Barray and one secondary school in the district. He maintained that almost all of projects had been completed but that the president would only commission three of the facilities.
He said that each of the schools was worth more than Le 300 million and that the schools would be well equipped with ultra modern fertilities. He also explained that he decided to invest in education because of the poor educational system not only in Kabala but throughout the country with plans, he said extend to the southeast of the country.
Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Keifala Marah commended Conteh for his "outstanding investment" in education in the district. He appealed to pupils, teachers and school administrators to take good care of the fertilities.
Hon Paramount Chief Ali Balansama Marah of Sengbeh Chiefdom expressed his appreciation not only to the president but also to Conteh, adding that one of their major problems in the district remained education and that such a support would go a long way in improving education in the district.
(C) Politico 23/01/14
