“My appeal to all is to start using official email addresses for official communication,” says the Minister, adding that the use of the website does not stop with the provision of information of the nature already highlighted; we intend to use the website to direct visitors to other websites and platforms for teaching and learning materials and recordings are being prepared that can be accessed using the website.
Dr. Bah further said the website will be operated in his Ministry under the ICT Unit, and that it will be interactive, allows for uploading larger files and downloads, supports a mailing facility with unlimited accounts etc.
He acknowledged the support of DFID, World Bank and UNICEF for providing financial support and technical advice with the promise of additional support to improve and keeps the website functioning.
The Minister of Youth Affairs, Bai Mamoud Bangura thanked the Ministry and Development partners for providing an education website that will benefit mostly young people in the education sector. He reiterated the fact that the website will benefit the education sector and foster development in the country. Similar sentiments were expressed by the Minister of Sport, Ahmed Khanou.
The UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone, Gooff Wiffin commended the Ministry for the great milestone, which he said will go a long way in the development of the country. The website, he said contains good information on the education system in the country and information from development partners. He said it should be used as an advocacy tool where the Ministry with development partners will interact to enhance development in the sector.
Wiffin said it will help strengthen the leadership in the Ministry and its collaboration with development partners. “We must make this website a successful one. It isz a key milestone under the Presidential Recovery Plan,” he said.
The launching ceremony was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Education 1, Dr. Christiana Thorpe.