By Ragan M. Conteh
The Leader of Government in Parliament has informed that the New Direction Government will not go after ghost teachers but will go after impersonators.
According to Hon. Matthew Nyuma, lots of teachers have left their destinations or schools where they have been approved or given pin codes, but are still conniving with head teachers or principals in receiving government salaries.
He said they have realized that teachers, approved in those remote community schools, have left for private schools in big towns, but still receiving government salaries, adding that the New Direction government will track them all and deal with them according to the laws.
“We are chasing impersonators and not ghost teachers. We are very much alert to see the quality education and our government deliver on it. Mind you, it is our flagship project,” he bragged.
The Leader of Government Business made the assertion in Parliament on Tuesday 23rd February 2021 during the approval of the construction of the $32 million University of Science and Technology in Kono District.
In her statement, the deputy Minister of Finance, Madam Patricia Lavally, informed Members of Parliament that the government secured funds for the construction of the University through the Economic Community of West African States.
Outlining the economic benefits, the deputy minister said the construction of the University project, when completed, “will help to improve the skills of our children and other children around the country,” she said.
In his submission, on the debate approval of the Agreement, the Member of Parliament from Kono District who doubles as the Leader of the Coalition for Change Party expressed delight for the wise decision of the government to construct a university in Kono District.
According to Hon. Saa Lamina, the people of Kono had long yearned for a university in the district, which would reduce the burden of traveling to other parts of the country for higher education.
The C4C MP pointed out that the people of Kono District were very much excited about the approval of the University and lauded the Government of President Julius Maada Bio for being magnanimous to the people of Kono.
Hon Lamina went further that the Gbense Chiefdom authority, being the host community, had provided 417 acres of land for the construction project, adding that the said University will reduce the long suffering of students in the district.
He revealed that the University, when completed, would help capacitate children in Kono and other parts of the country.
In his submission, the Member of Parliament from the opposition, the Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, representing Constituency 059, apologized for the over 90 years neglect of Kono District by successive governments.
Hon. AKK said, now that the government is trying to correct the historical injustice that had been meted out on Kono people, the government should not have taken a loan for the University, looking at the contribution of Kono District to the national coffers.
The MP said the project is started by the then APC government of Ernest Bai Koroma and lauded the New Direction for continuing with such laudable project. He however appealed to government to increase the targeted number of students attending the University yearly.
He concluded that Kono district had provided a lot for the country but benefited little or nothing in terms of development.
Hon. Rebecca Kamara, from Kono District, also expressed disappointment for the suffering meted on them since 1930, adding that the provision of the University will improve the district considerably and will also enhance the free quality education.
She pointed out that, by investing in education, her government was investing in the next generations of Sierra Leoneans. She expressed determination of Kono people to take ownership of the project and assured of manpower during the construction work.
Hon. Paul Saa Sam, from Kono District, said now that the long decade sickness of Kono has been laid to rest, Kono will now match with the global trend for quality education.
He said, with such University, Kono will harvest quality husbands, adding that this is the time for the district to develop educationally after 90 good years of diamond resurgence with no benefit.
The MP said there are 800 schools in Kono District, disclosing that government, through the Ministry of Finance, should make sure that any single sent will be used for its intended purpose. He also expressed concerns about the proper procurement system, adding that Kono District’s hearts have been bleeding because of the neglect over the years, especially so when Kono was contributing to the breadbasket of Sierra Leone without benefit.