As part of its commitment to promote educational standards in the country, Operation Classroom has dedicated an 8 classrooms edifice to the United Methodist Primary School – Urban Center in the East End of Freetown. The dedication was conducted during the Church’s Annual General Conference on the 9th October, 2009.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the programme Mr. Saffa Koroma stated that the project was undertaken at the right time, considering the appalling nature of the performance of pupils in both internal and external exams. The twenty percent spent on education in the country’s annual budget is not sufficient to address the immediate status of the education sector. He also stated that the eleven years war derailed the school system in the country since so many schools were burnt down and academic resources destroyed.
Mr. Koroma went on to say that their collaboration with operation classroom for the past twenty- two years has been fruitful since they have been able to provide a helping hand through the organization’s established programmes; operation classroom and operation doctor. He said all their successful projects mostly at the UMC have over the years been spearheaded by their partners the Operation Classroom in USA.
The Country Representative, Operation Classroom, Smart Senesie in his address commented on the poor state of education; citing as example the past two public exams. He said their indefatigable effort will continue through out the country in a bid to revamp our deteriorating school and educational systems.
He disclosed that operation Classroom has constructed a masterpiece school in Kabala – the Heritage School and it will soon be handed over to the public. This, he said, will help minimize the illiteracy rate in the country. “All are efforts to improve both education and humanity in the country” he said.
Mr. Senesie also disclosed that the Operation Doctor programme, specifically caters for the health situation in the country, adding that the cause of many deaths in our vulnerable communities occur as a result of poor medical facilities, in terms of affordability and accessibility.
In this capacity, the programme has been providing drugs to hospitals to help curtail the increase of deadly diseases.
Representing Carmel United Methodist Church in Indiana in the United States of America, Mr. Rick Chandler expressed his gratitude for the level of support from Operation Classroom in Sierra Leone to make the project a successful one. He maintained that the idea was generated as a result of the feeling to serve humanity in all respect, adding that the building will act as a human resource center for the present generation and the generations yet unborn. He hoped that the building will be utilized effectively for its purpose and for the furtherance of education in the country.
By Poindexter Sama
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