By Mohamed Jalloh
As President Bio settles down in office, nightwatch gauges the opinion of first time voters on the free education campaign promise, which was his flagship project.
Esther Lahai, a 19 year old SSS 3 pupil from St Joseph Secondary School, informed this medium that she voted for President Bio because of his flagship programme on free education and the elimination of SSS 4 in the national school curriculum.
She is in high spirit that the President would deliver on this very much important sector in national development. Esther further urges the President to fulfill on his promise because, according to her, education is the key to success in life.
Saidu Bangura, a Prince of Wales pupil, noted that if President Bio wants to meet the expectation of the voters he must make the free education promise a reality. “The corruption plaguing the sector, according to Saidu, needs to be tackled if the new appointed minister wants to succeed”.
He also encouraged the Bio administration to increase budgetary support to the sector as, according to him, subsequent governments have not been able to adequately fund the sector, while limited funds pumped into the sector have been diverted elsewhere by politicians
Alhaji Manika, a pupil from Albert Academy, said he took his WASSCE in 2016 where he gained 3 credits and 2 passes. This makes him eligible to enroll at the university.
“After losing my guardian, I had to engage in many menial works just to make ends meet, but I hope the new President will extend his free educational agenda to the tertiary level in order to reduce the high rate of illiteracy in the country,” Manika said.
Patrick Kanu, a 20 year old pupil, revealed that he left school in SSS 2 after he lost both parents to the Ebola epidemic that affected the country in 2014.
He disclosed that he will attempt the private WASSCE whenever the new government implements the free education policy because he intends to continue with his education.
Bintu Kamara, a teenage commercial sex worker, said she will quit the profession and muster the necessary courage to return back to school if the new government delivers on their Education campaign promise.
It should be noted that Lawyer Alpha Timbo, the proposed Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, a very seasoned educationist and former Secretary General of the country’s biggest umbrella body for teachers before becoming the Minister of Labour and Social Security under the Late President Kabbah, has been appointed by the President to be able to actualize his campaign promise on free Education.
Hopes are high this gentleman has what it takes to effectively deliver on this sector.