By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Lecturers of the Faculty of Education and Community Development Studies at Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema have on 23rd September 2021 held their final faculty board meeting as polytechnic before going into the new status next academic year as Eastern Technical University.
In his statement, the chairman of the faculty of Education who is also the Dean of faculty of Education and Community Development Studies, Alhaji Sheku Kamara told the meeting: ’’If we were two steps yesterday it’s time to multiply our zeal to another step so that our services will be first to be reckoned with in the human resource development of this nation,’’ he said.
He disclosed that they are now awaiting the official pronouncement by the president to declare the institution a university to the public as protocols require since Parliament endorsed the university status bid in July this year.
He said they as a faculty have greater responsibilities to match up to university standard especially when new courses have been added and approved by the tertiary education commission
He stated the faculty meeting would enable them as lecturers to deliberate on issues in terms of teaching, community service, consultancy and things expected of them to do as lecturers to enhance professional development.
The Dean of faculty of education further stated that eighteen programmes have been developed in various departments including technical education and educational administration.
Kamara pointed out that certain programmess will be under the NCTVA while programs such as National diploma, and higher programmes will be handled by the institution. He used the event to express dismay over NCTVA’s delaying the release of the results of students that have sat to their final exams.
One of the senior lecturers in the Social Studies Department, Anthony Kanneh disclosed that for quite a long time teachers that are to do their teaching practices have been centered in Kenema instead of posting them to other districts to assist schools. He said Principals in certain schools in Kailahun district are in demand for teachers especially for certain subjects areas but over the period teaching practice teachers have not been posted out and therefore drew the attention of dean of faculty for the attention of the administration. He said schools in especially Kailahun that were recently established by government are under- staffed and that sending practicing teachers will be of immense benefit.
Another concern he highlighted was the habit of some principals and heads of schools rejecting teachers offering subjects like social studies which he referred to as discriminatory.
Alpha Amara Sei from the social studies department and the Public Relations Officer for the Senior Staff Association reminded the administration of backlog payments due them.
The deputy registrar and head of exams, Bockarie Lahai disclosed that the administration is working hard to ensure that convocation takes place this year that will be the first since 2014.
He appealed to staff to submit their grades to the exams office as the ministry of tertiary education has put a date for the reopening of all tertiary institutions and would not want the institution to be a defaulter as a result of the action of few people.
Copyright © Politico Online (29/09/21)
