By Aaron BunduLahai-Head of Media
At a well-attended budget hearing at the Ministry of Finance conference room, George Street in Freetown on Friday 17th September, 2021 the Honuorable Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh admonished Ministry of Finance to develop effective monitoring tools for monies disbursed to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Vice President Jalloh called on Finance Ministry to ensure the need for effective monitoring tools that will determine the proper use of school subsidies. He made the statement during the official opening of the 2021 budget discussion.
Vice President Jalloh disclosed about the disbursement of two hundred million dollars by the Government of Sierra Leone on Free Quality Education (FQE) from 2018 to present.
Vice President Jalloh explained that the 200 million dollars is spent on books, teachers’ salaries, furniture, and fees for pupils taking the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) among others.
Vice President Jalloh reiterated that the enrolment of children into schools has increased to 95% due to the FQE.
He informed about government determination to ensure the success of education, which is the flagship programme of President Bio.
Vice President Jalloh said that the budget hearing will guide on allocation of resources, adding that the focus of the hearing for 2021 is to facilitate dialogue for key officials of government to engage the Finance Ministry on ways to present their major activities.
Vice President Jalloh informed about the positive gains made by the New Direction Government in the area of governance.
Vice President Jalloh further highlighted gains made in the areas of the security sector and election management.
Vice President Jalloh advocated for support towards the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC), tourism and mining sectors; adding that despite the funding constraints of these sectors, they sectors can mobilize resources and there is need for government to support them.
Vice President Jalloh appealed for counterpart funding, due to the decrease of donor funding because of COVID.
Vice President Jalloh reechoed the need for counterpart funding in order to fill in the gap that will be created because of budget cut from donor partners.
