By Gibril Gottor
The Sierra Leone Islamic Federation (SLIF) secondary school was founded in the 80s. The school has been one of the leading learning institutions in Kambia district and has contributed to shaping the minds of people through knowledge transfer. The contribution of the late M. A Turay to the education sector in Kambia district is incredibly exceptional. The school has hugely contributed to the development trajectory of Sierra Leone.
The school has trained many Sierra Leoneans, who are currently contributing to the smooth progress of post-war Sierra Leone. Abu Bakarr Bangura (PhD), now Director, Sierra Leone Law School and Commissioner at the Law Reforms Commission, is one among the many Sierra Leoneans and indigenes that got their secondary education in Sierra Leone Islamic Federation. Other products of the school are currently serving in both the public and private sectors of Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone Islamic Federation started as a private school, but a few years later, the school transformed into a government assisted school due to certain challenges that were militating against the smooth progress of the school. The lawful process followed in appointing Dr. Kandeh, came after the demise of the founder and proprietor of the school, Murana A. Turay.
The lawful and credible transformation of the school from a private to a publicly-owned entity saw the establishment of a school management Board, one of the major criteria employed to prevent any breach of the law. Dr. Joseph Kandeh, former District Medical Officer, assigned to Kambia district as District Medical Officer, and at the same time, served as Chairperson of a lawfully constituted school Board, but then stepped aside after his three years in office.
Preceding his successful and productive services as both District Medical Officer and Board chairperson to the Sierra Leone Islamic Federation, Dr. Joseph Kandeh’s tenure as Board Chairperson is applauded by the community for helping fly the flag of the Federation higher.
During Kandeh’s three-year tenure as Board Chairman of the Sierra Leone Islamic Federation, the school was a force of attraction for children of school-going age, following the standards set and exemplary performance in public competitions.
Many believe that the school’s role and performance during Dr. Kandeh’s leadership is unprecedented, unlike the current Board that has existed for almost a decade.
The current role of SLIF under the leadership of Ishaga Turay, one of the eldest sons of the late Murana Turay and longest-serving Board Chairman from 2012-2025, leaves much to be desired.
Corruption, among other devastating activities, has drastically dropped the school role down to its lowest ebb. The lack of management skills, corruption, demotivated staff members and poor monitoring remain the militating factors undermining the smooth progress of the school.
One year has gone, and the Sierra Leone Islamic Federation is still running without a Principal, rendering the school in total disarray.