August 26, 2016 By Ibrahim Tarawallie
The Minister of Education, Science and Technology yesterday officially launched the education website (www.education.gov.sl) which seeks to provide quality information on the education sector in Sierra Leone.
The website contains amongst other information and official email addresses of staff of the ministry.
According to the Education Minister Dr. Minkailu Bah, although not the first government website, it would be the most visited, used and ultimately the best national websites.
He said education was a priority to all Sierra Leoneans, adding that accurate and current information on education would be accessible through the website to all with compatible mobile phones, tablets or laptops and network access in any part of the country.
“My appeal to all is to start using official email addresses for official communication. 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,” he said.
Dr. Bah further said the website would be operated from their headquarters at New England Ville in Freetown by the information and communication technology unit, adding that it would be interactive, allowing for uploading larger files and downloads, and support mailing facility with unlimited accounts.
He acknowledged the UK Department for International Development (DFID), World Bank and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for providing financial support and technical advise, with the promise of additional support to improve and upkeep the website’s functioning.
UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone, Gooff Wiffin commended the ministry for the great milestone, which according to him would 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, adding that it should be used as an advocacy tool, where the ministry with development partners would interact to enhance development in the sector.
Wiffin said the website would also help strengthen leadership in the ministry and collaboration with development partners. “We must make this website a successful one. It is a key milestone under the Presidential Recovery Plan,” he said.