Commemorating World Teachers Day… CRS Partners with EBK University to Address Teacher Capacity Gaps in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), as part of its commitment to improving access to quality education in Sierra Leone, partnered with Ernest Bai Koroma University on Friday, 17th October 2024, to celebrate World Teachers’ Day and tackle the pressing issue of teacher capacity gaps in the northern districts of Koinadugu and Falaba.
This initiative is part of the McGovern-Dole Food for Education (FFE) program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The program provided training and awarded teaching certificates to 100 teachers, chosen based on the capacity needs of schools across the two districts. This training aims to address the ongoing challenge of untrained and unqualified teachers, particularly in schools situated in hard-to-reach areas, where access to professional development opportunities has long been limited. Additionally, as part of the World Teachers’ Day celebration, CRS and its partners recognized the outstanding contributions of educators by awarding the best five teachers from the two districts for their exemplary dedication and impact on student learning.
The certification ceremony took place at Sonfo 2 Hall in Kabala and was attended by distinguished guests, including the Country Director of CRS, representatives from the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, Teach for Salone, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Caritas Makeni, district councils of Falaba and Koinadugu, the Teaching Service Commission, Paramount Chiefs, and other local stakeholders.
The FFE program adopts a comprehensive and integrated approach to education, not only by equipping teachers with essential skills for effective classroom instruction but also by addressing broader aspects of school and community development. These efforts include feeding programs that improve student nutrition, supporting local economies through homegrown school feeding initiatives, and constructing or renovating school infrastructure, including water and sanitation facilities. The program also works to combat gender-based violence, promoting safer and more inclusive educational environments.
Since its inception, the FFE program has reached 74,669 beneficiaries, including 60,638 students, 1,693 teachers, 930 cooks, 6,200 members of Mothers Support Groups, 4,412 School Management Committee members, and 796 participants in the Savings and Internal Lending Community (SILC) initiative.
Through this partnership with Ernest Bai Koroma University and other key stakeholders, CRS continues to make strides towards enhancing the quality of education in Sierra Leone, ensuring that teachers are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of students and communities.
