Understaffing in primary schools in Port Loko … One teacher to 200 pupils
Port Loko, March 19 (SLENA) – One major concern that was raised at a meeting held earlier this week by head teachers and stakeholders at the District Library Complex in Port Loko was that of under-staffing in many primary schools in the district, SLENA reports. (Photo: Head teachers and other stakeholders at the meeting)
Apart from the constraints in having sufficient Approved Centres for National Examination Centres, the attention of the Directorate of Education in the Port Loko District was drawn to the situation at Mathon in the Lokomasama Chiefdom where a school of over 200 pupils is being manned by a single teacher.
The meeting was convened by the Directorate of the Ministry of Education in Port Loko in order to engage head teachers in the district into a Performance Contact with key stakeholders.
This, according to the Deputy Director of Education, Port Loko District, Brima Taimu Koroma is to complement the desire of the Minister of Education, Dr. Minkailu Bah in ensuring that Sierra Leone regains it lost standards in education and for school pupils to earn and be able to defend any level acquired in education.
The process started in earnest this week when Head Teachers of the District Education Committee (DEC) Schools were summoned to a general meeting in order to provide head teachers with the opportunity to retrospect on the challenges they are faced with and to jointly strategise towards workably solutions.
Mr. BriamaTaimu Koroma re-echoed the obligation of teachers which is dedication to their work and to ensure that school children are provided with quality education.
He used the occasion to condemn all forms of extortion on pupils and further advised against corrupt tendencies, such as encouraging parents to bribe invigilators during public exams
He said Head Teachers are charged with the responsibility of checking the Lesson Notes of their teachers as well as ensuring that both teachers and pupils are properly dressed, punctual and regular in School.
The Assistant Deputy Director, Alimamy Kamara who chaired the meeting, dilated on the issue of Performance Contract. He encouraged them to use and manage the funds of their respective schools judiciously and admonished all for effective service delivery and for them to device legal methods through which a 70 percent pass could be achieved at National Primary School Examinations from now on.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Manager of the District Education Committee Schools in the district, D. S. Kamara and the Supervisors of Schools for Maforki Chiefdom, Patrick Markey, the Supervisor of Schools in charge of Burreh Kasseh Maconteh Chiefdom and Alhajie M F Kamara who stressed the need for them to support the minister in the drive for quality education.
Some of the concerns put forward by the Head Teachers had to do with the recruitment of teachers, which is said to be currently based on replacement. The late payment of school subsidies and the issue of vouchers which are not available in most schools out there formed part of the teachers’ concerns.
It was resolved that such meetings be held at regular intervals and for the concerns raised by the Head Teachers to be addressed without further delay.
HB/P’Loko/SLENA
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2014, https:. All rights reserved.
