The minster, who had been called upon to give stewardship of his work – achievements and challenges – to MPs in the well of parliament on 8 November 2016, further noted that they had made significant gains in improving education in recent times.

He stated that the establishment of two new universities namely the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology and the Limkokwing University, a public private partnership, demonstrated their commitment to improving education.

Meanwhile, some students of the Ernest Bai Koroma University had called on the authorities to immediately address the deplorable conditions under which they lived and learned.

“The toilet facilities are substandard and dangerous for human use. We normally plead with our neighbours to be able to access their toilet facilities. We don’t even have a well-equipped library, talk less of accommodation,” said Yalmamy Kamara, a student.

Salamatu Lois Turay said: “We are doing our best and lecturers are trying to educate us, but the environment needs to be upgraded in order for it to be considered a conducive academic environment. We have problems with electricity, water supply and sanitation.”

Lecturer Morris Peacock said they had struggled to meet their usual academic obligations and that delivering lectures in the laboratory with no cooling system was very discomforting, adding that internet access for students, lecturers and administrative staff was limited and that had delayed the process of essential service delivery.  

Acting vice president of the university, Ahmed Koroma, admitted to criticisms that the university was currently challenged with several issues included learning materials, accommodation, electricity, water and other utilities. 

“Transforming from a teachers’ college to a university with degree programmes is challenging, but we are working assiduously to overcome the challenges as we depend largely on government subventions, fees and, once on a while, donor funds to equip our university,” he said.