The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) yesterday held a one day forum on accreditation of degree awarding in tertiary institutions and programmes in Sierra Leone.
The purpose of the forum was to map out ways to evaluate tertiary institutions in the country.
Addressing the forum at the Atlantic Hall in Freetown, Minister of Education, Dr Minkailu Bah stated that the forum is an illustration of the commitment of his Ministry towards the TEC’s quest for quality education in our tertiary institutions.
He added that, this interactive forum is therefore geared towards guiding stakeholders in the tertiary educational sector about their role in promoting standards in their various institutions, as well as their corresponding obligation to TEC.
Dr Bah stated that TEC was established by an Act of Parliament in 2001 for the development of Tertiary Education in Sierra Leone.
The Minister reiterated that, it is envisaged that TEC will contribute towards the development of the country’s human resource capacity through its services “in providing an institutional liaison between government and stakeholder organization, offering tertiary education institutions”.
TEC, he said is expected to be engaged in reviewing policies, programme structures and overall management of Tertiary Education to make them more rational, functional, cost effective and relevant to our development aspirations.
Dr Minkailu averred that TEC, has a duty to maintain at all times, the highest standard of efficiency, effectiveness, integrity and component.
He maintained that in addressing the issue of accreditation there are strict measures to be examined because of the national and international implications contained therein.
The TEC, he noted is mandated by the TEC Act 2001 to accredit tertiary institutions worthy of accreditation.
The Minister called on all to support TEC in its quest for qualitative standards.
In his statement, TEC Executive Secretary, Professor David Koroma said that the objectives of the accreditation evaluation are to examine all academic progress, policies and practice; to ensure that at least the provisions of the minimum standards of TEC are attained, maintained and enhanced and to certify to the employers and other members of the society that Sierra Leone graduates of all academic programmes have attained an acceptable level of competency in their areas of specialization.
He stated that, for affiliate tertiary institutions in the country there should be no disparity between the courses offered by the affiliate college abroad. This he said is unacceptable.
Professor Harry Turay, Commissioner of TEC and also Director of accreditation Audit and Institution Affairs stated that, the problem of accreditation has been in his schedule since the TEC came. He noted that it is obvious of the tertiary institution to map out ways to evaluate them.
Participants discussed pertinent issues that will be used to evaluate tertiary institutions.
By Abibatu Kamara