On behalf of students in Kono, a third year Senior Secondary School student of the Koidu Secondary School and the President for the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) Adama Finda Borway, pleaded with President Bio to improve the educational standards in that part of the country. Many children in Kono District drop out of school because of having to work in a mine, which was been perceived as the only means of becoming rich. Parents, teachers, youth and school-going pupils have been spotted in mining areas during school times. Many believe this has contributed towards the low standards of education, failures, high dropout rates and illiteracy in that part of the country. In her submission to President Bio, Borway outlined that prior to the launch of the free, quality education program, their classrooms were partially empty with broken chairs and desks, weak school structures, no pipe borne water and no electricity. She confirmed that after the program was launched, school attendance seemed to increase. Borway pleaded with the Government to improve on their school structures, take care of their teachers, assist them with basic facilities including WASH, furniture and above all, requested the establishment of a university for the district. President Bio said the people of Gbense Chiefdom have offered 417 acres of land for the construction of a national University of Science and Technology in Kono. He reminded the audience that he is keeping to his promise made to the people in Kono and the district. President Bio said after years of mining riches from the earth all that remains are empty ditches and not riches. He said the Government will do all they can to ensure they develop the human capital through education. He said the world is open to exploration but without the required qualification there is nothing absolutely anyone can do. The President revealed the Government is going to construct a Technical Vocational Institute in the District to cut down on travel costs and other expenditures that are attached to studying outside the district. He called on parents and community leaders to assist in shaping society by protecting the children from all forms of harm including cliques and gangs. The Paramount Chief for Gbense Chiefdom, Sahr Fengai Kaimachendeh III, preached perseverance and working towards achieving goals stressing, “When your cloud is full with rain, your rain will come only with perseverance.” The Minister of Higher Education, Aiah Kpakima, said they will ensure the proposed university is not static by ensuring useful departments and programs are being offered. Apparently, there is 750 acres of land available for a university in Kono District. However, architect plans, land allocations, buildings, an environmental assessment have not been conducted. Despite the lack of detail on the construction project, locals and students in Kono were optimistic that by end of 2019 a national University of Science and Technology would be built in their District.
MK/21/1/19
By Mohamed Kabba
Twitter: @chikakabba
Tuesday January 22, 2019.