By Ragan M. Conteh

 “As Parliament we should not be slow to act on issues that distort and destroy the fabric of our nation especially on education,” says Hon Abdul Karim Kamara.

The Member of parliament from  Kambia District, who doubles as the opposition Chief Whip in parliament, Hon Abdul Karim Kamara (AKK) made the submissions when debating on the Tertiary Education Act 2024.

Because of our silence, he said, as lawmakers there are nursing institutions that are not registered but they give injections to Sierra Leoneans and many are dying from these.

He said there are many unregistered courses and fake institutions operating in Sierra Leone but authorities are given a lip service to them.

Hon AKK urged TEC to publish the accredited institutions every six months in other to prevent some fake institutions from existing.

He said some of these colleges are duping the people of Sierra, adding that the country should have institutions that help to nurture the middle manpower of our nation.

Hon Kamara spoke on the proliferation of the fake certificates and institutions that are not being accredited in Sierra Leone but in other countries.

He stated that it is a shame to note for over thirty years Sierra Leone does not have laws to regulate university and to clamp down on defaulters, stating that some higher learning institutions don’t have adequate staff or good offices to operate as institution.

He said the said Act should discourage  individuals to set up educational institutions but rather to have affiliate bodies which will give them credibility.

The MP alluded on the fact that Sierra Leone was once the Anthem of West Africa in terms of delivering quality education and he urged that such accolades should be regained by the country especially through the passing of the new Education Act.

He also cited an example of the Dominion former “ghost college” whose authorities are today roaming across Sierra Leone free unpunished after they had been found illegal to operate as a college.

He added that the new Act should be made rigid in order to prevent people from establishing fake institutions and and to be bragging with fake degrees in the country.

“Most nurses from those unaccredited institutions are responsible for the deaths of many people in hospitals.

“Because they are not given the required education and practicals needed before,” he said.