Public education on Public Education: Kenema, Girls Education and the City of Excellence

Commentary

Public education on Public Education: Kenema, Girls Education and the City of Excellence

By David Sengeh, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone

I spent my day in Kenema and Segwema, Kailahun today.

In Kenema, I went back to Nyapui Senior Secondary School for Girls where we opened a 300 bed boarding home built with SEND. You’ll remember Nyapui School as the one President opened last year. Or perhaps the School Mamawa Jayah comes from- the lady who represented us in New York 10 days ago at the UN.

Well, Nyapui School is also the school where the second best pupil in BECE for last year attends. The school has an ECOWAS French volunteer and the girls are learning French well.

I sincerely believe that these girls will produce top WASSCE candidates next year in the sciences. Speaking of WASSCE, I met the top two national candidates this year. Such breath of fresh air. Their confidence was inspiring and it was great for me to give them the platform to meet each other. The best part for me was watching them inspire the younger ladies at Nyapui School. I asked the girls what they think about their results and they said they are proud because they worked for it!!!

I then went to Islamic Secondary School in Kenema where all school prefects from other schools had gathered. Phenomenal discussions with the students and such insightful questions. The Principals have done a marvelous job including build science libraries and furnishing them from subsidies. These are the examples of leaders we all need to see.

Finally, I must say I leave Kenema knowing that wow- you have lots to excited about. The District Council Chairman is a visionary and the community exemplary. Before your question ther performance of Kenema next time, try visiting and speaking to the pupils.

The pupils wanted to touch my hair but really were just happy to meet a Minister of Education. We will transform this country by making quality education the primary investment in our people.

Ps- Kenema people- one of your biggest assets is the Kambui Hills