By Nasratu Kargbo
Pujehun District Member of Parliament Abu Kemokai Children in has appealed to the government and stakeholders concerned to procure boats for children commuting to and from school.
Kemokai who was on the 16th of August 2023 debating on the Presidential speech said: “I want to report to this house and draw the attention of the Ministry that for our children living in those riverine communities, they need boats to access their schools. I want to call on the Ministry to procure a boat for them.”
The MP stated that his district is topographically different, with some parts having riverine communities whilst other areas are upland. He added that the only way most children can access their schools is through boats.
He explained that during the last administration, the government through the Ministry of Transport and Aviation procured school buses for school children but kids in those areas did not benefit from the buses due to the mode of transportation, stressing that they are equally important as any other children in the country.
The MP stated that schools will reopen in September and that the children will be expected to go to school, emphasizing that their safety is very important as they pursue learning. He stated that it will be of immense help if the children can get the boat.
Kemokai said President Julius Maada Bio mentioned human capital as being one of his areas to solidify, saying more is needed to be done in that regard.
President Bio whilst delivering his speech at the State Opening of the sixth parliament on the 3rd August 2023 declared human capital as one of his main areas of focus in his government’s “Big Five Game Changers”.
“My government’s commitment to human capital development recognises its importance in fostering stability and driving progress within developing nations,” the President said. He explained that in his last five years, the flagship programme Free Quality Education propelled them to make remarkable gains which resulted in a surge in school admittances and an increase in university entrance exam pass rates.
He stated that this time their focus is centred on translating the gains made into the development of a highly skilled labour force that is equipped to tackle the challenges of the 21st-century industries, adding that the government’s effort will be directed towards bridging the gap in the missing middle of labour force whilst nurturing talents for professional roles in the private and public sectors.
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