In a significant step towards advancing Free Quality School Education Project (FQE), the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), on Wednesday 23rd October, 2024 signed a contract with Tiwai Memory Masters (TMM) to supply 6,061 (Six Thousand and sixty one) solar powered computer tablets to schools randomly across the country.

The procurement of the solar powered computer tablets for onward distribution to schools nationwide is jointly funded by the World Bank and the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education(MBSSE).

This project signed with TMM emerged as the most responsive aligned with the President’s Free Quality School Education (FQSE) Programme to bridge the digital divide in education, thus providing students with equal access to digital learning resources.

It is hoped that the distribution of these  tablets would empower students in both urban and rural areas as a way of ensuring that no child is left behind in today’s technological global era.

Making a statement before the contract signing, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey reiterated that the project is central with One Tablet Per School (OTPS) which aims to equip schools with solar powered tablets for teachers and school directors.

According to the Minister, this project is part of the government’s broader strategy to ensure equitable access to quality education across the country.

He further disclosed that the project budget amounts to  $3,000,000 and it is designed to provide each school with a tablet to facilitate pupils and teachers’ attendance, recording and delivering of data both online and offline informed by specific training courses.

“The tablets will support the COACH/TEACH program, a comprehensive teacher development initiative that includes classroom observation, surveys and tailored digital training resources. These tablets will serve as tools aimed at enhancing teaching practices by offering recommendations and relevant educational content based on individual teacher needs.”

“The procurement process for these tablets was conducted through a rigorous bidding system, and was concludes on December 20, 2023.”

After careful evaluation,  Tiwai Memory Masters emerged as the most responsive bidder.

The Procurement Committee’s recommendations were submitted to the World Bank and it gave no objection on July 31, 2024, and allowed the project to proceed.

“The awarded contract, valued at $2,791,425.50, stipulates a delivery period of 16 weeks. Tiwai Memory Masters has already submitted samples of the tablets for testing, which were evaluated by the Ministry of Communication and Technology. While the samples met most specifications, some minor adjustments were recommended to ensure optimal performance,” the Minister spoke.

Minister Sackey maintained that a detailed review of the supplied devices will focus on their technical specifications, including a solar power kit to ensure sustainability and continuous operation in remote areas which have limited access to electricity.

The evaluation will also assess the processor, memory, battery life, and overall durability to withstand rugged or hard-to-reach out environments, as well as to enhance security and accountability in place with the use of the tablets.

He added that these assessments are crucial and guaranteed that the devices are fit for purpose, particularly in the challenging settings typical of most Sierra Leonean schools.

“Following the contract signing, the Ministry will release an advance payment of 10% of the contract sum. The implementation will be closely monitored to ensure compliance with contract specifications.”

“After successful inspection and acceptance, an additional 80% will be paid, with the final 10% contingent on the complete delivery of all tablets,” he said.

The procurement of solar-powered tablets represents a pivotal step in advancing quality quality in Sierra Leone. By equipping schools with the necessary tools and resources, this initiative aims to foster an environment where teachers can thrive and students can benefit from having improved educational facilities.

The commitment to monitoring and assessing this project underscores the government’s dedication to achieving its FQE Programme objectives while enhancing learning outcomes.