By Ragan M. Conteh

The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Technical and Higher Education, chaired by Hon. Moses Edwin, held a critical engagement with officials from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education to assess the status of ongoing project’s policy implementation and financial constraints affecting the sector.

During the session, Hon. Edwin emphasized the committee’s commitment to ensuring quality education, highlighting its strategic importance in national development.

He stressed that the committee comprises senior parliamentarians and plays a pivotal role in supporting the government’s educational priorities.

A key topic of discussion was the progress of Kono University, a flagship project expected to boost higher education opportunities. Hon. Emerson Lamina representing Kono district expressed concerns over delays, noting that constituents frequently demand updates on construction progress. Ministry officials assured the committee that work was ongoing, though financial and administrative hurdles had affected the timeline.

The meeting also addressed financial constraints affecting universities and technical institutions. Officials revealed that funds owed to universities since 2016 had not been fully paid, raising concerns about operational sustainability. MPs warned that these financial shortfalls could undermine academic excellence and urged the government to prioritize payments.

Another contentious issue was contractor performance on education projects. While some officials praised contractors for their work, Hon. Lamina raised concerns about delays and inefficiencies, calling for stricter oversight and suggesting that underperforming contractors should be blacklisted to prevent further disruptions.

He further stressed the need for better project oversight, noting that delays in implementing education projects negatively impact students and the broader national development agenda. Hon. Emerson urged the ministry to collaborate closely with Parliament to resolve funding gaps, ensure timely project completion, and improve transparency in contract awards.

The session ended with commitments from both sides to enhance collaboration and accountability in the education sector, ensuring that government policies translate into tangible results for students, educators and the nation as a whole.