By Ragan M. Conteh

The Member of Parliament Hon. Rugiatu Kamara from Tonkolili District said the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education Bill 2024 has the potential to transform the future.

The bill, she said seeks to continue in existence, the National Council for Technical, Vocational and other Academic Awards which is now to be known as the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education, to provide accreditation, validation, examination and certification services for awards in certain specialized and professional programmes in formal, non- formal and informal sectors and to provide for other related matters.

She shared her experience with colleague MPs on the implementation of 6-3-3-4 system of education with reference to other countries that have improved on middle level manpower.

She also used the opportunity to encourage parents to allow their children to pursue TVET. “No qualification is useless, let us change the mindset of our people,” she maintained.

The female MP expressed happiness over the Bill and urged his colleagues to speedily approve the bill into an Act.

The opposition Whip One, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawalie from Bombali District said the Bill would bring unique system into the educational system and recalled the glory of NCTVA in Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, she expressed concern over the inadequate infrastructure for Technical and Vocational for pupils who failed BECE. She recalled a related review process in light of the importance of the Bill and emphasized that English subject be compulsory in the system and should not be removed. “We are supporting the Bill,” she noted but asked for some amendments.

Mariama Bangura from Western Area Urban said Technical Education is very relevant, in tandem with the rapid changes in the world. The MP noted the importance of technical and vocational education to improve the middle manpower career. The legislator also expressed concerns over the lack of infrastructure for Technical and Vocational Education with reference to 6-3-3-4 system of education. She strongly emphasized on the monitoring of implementation of Technical and Vocational Education.

The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie recalled the establishment and purpose of the National Council for Technical and Vocational Awards (NCTVA) for the educational System.

The Minister told Members of the Parliament that the NCTVA has not significantly gained national and international requirements and assured that the Bill would address critical gaps to meet the contemporary needs of the of the people.

She highlighted key justifications in tandem with the object and importance of the Bill. According to her, the changes would lead to job creation, best practices, transformation and national and international requirements.

Hon. Umu Pyne described the Bill as powerful document. The MP said the Bill would improve on the Big 5 Game Changer and would promote girl’s education. She commended the Government for bringing such a Bill for passage into law.

Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie said NCTVA is extremely important. He MP expressed concerns over the composition of administrative appointments. He recalled the object of the 6-3-3-4 system of education and why it failed. He underscored that the Government wanted to improve on Technical and Vocational Education, in order to change the trajectory. He informed the House that the Bill would improve the middle level manpower and national development.

He expressed dismay over university criteria for enrollment, adding that WASSCE result is a requirement, whilst NCTVA is not accepted.

He acknowledged the importance of the Bill, in light of transformation, national development and job creation.