No Hiding Place for Procurement Flaws on Free Quality Education Program

Sierra Leone’s flagship Free Education project, championed by President Julius Maada Bio, is currently facing serious obstacles due to delays in procurement processes. The initiative to supply solar-powered tablets to 6,061 schools is particularly at risk, hindered by the actions of two key individuals: Mr. Mohamed Kallon, the procurement specialist, and Mr. Ambrose T. Sesay, the project coordinator for the Free Education Project Secretariat. Notably, Mr. Sesay is also related to the Chief Minister, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Questions regarding Mr. Sesay’s leadership have been persistent, especially given the controversial nature of several projects executed under his watch. The World Bank has labeled some initiatives, including the construction of three hostels in Pujehun, Kailahun, and Bonthe, as “not fit for purpose.” These facilities, intended to provide safe housing for students from distant areas, were built in unsafe, isolated locations, thereby increasing risks for the vulnerable population they were meant to protect.

Compounding these issues, the procurement process for high-quality printers and toners for the teachers’ licensing program is currently tied up in litigation, due to a challenge from a bidder. This legal dispute has delayed critical components of the teachers’ licensing initiative, particularly concerning the awarded contractor, who allegedly did not participate in the bidding process, further clouding the transparency of the procurement.

Delays have also impacted the availability of essential teaching and learning materials for Primary One students. The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has had to resort to printing teacher’s guides in black and white to ensure training sessions can proceed, leaving schools poised to open without the necessary resources for students—a situation attributed to the actions of just two individuals.

Most alarmingly, the procurement of solar-powered tablets remains stalled, despite the World Bank granting a “no objection” to award the contract to the most responsive bidder. Messrs. Kallon and Sesay appear to be steering the process toward cancellation, by insisting that the Ministry of Communication and Technology test a sample device that was not submitted by the winning bidder. This request raises significant concerns, particularly given that it contradicts the established evaluation protocol.

This situation serves as a critical call to action for all authorities involved to investigate the root causes of these procurement delays. The ongoing setbacks not only jeopardize the President’s educational agenda, but also deprives millions of children in Sierra Leone of vital resources and support. It is imperative that officials act swiftly and transparently to implement educational initiatives, ensuring that students across the nation have access to the quality education they deserve.