By Nasratu Kargbo
Member of Parliament for Kono District Rebecca Yei Kamara has urged the Government to ensure Kono University of Science and Technology commences foundation courses in September this year.
The MP made this call on the 31st July 2023 whilst debating on the supplementary budget in parliament. She expressed her desire that the twelve million new Leones allocated to the Ministry of Tertiary and Higher Education (MTHE) will contribute to the operations of the university.
Kamara explained that the government had renovated two structures for the commencement of preliminary classes which are yet to start, admitting that one of their campaign messages to the people of Kono was based on the start of classes.
The MP recalled how on 8th July 2021 they had finalized the discussions around Kono University and had expected that by this time they would have started with some introductory courses whilst the university’s building was being completed.
She explained that some students who had sat the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) cannot afford the resources to move to other places to further their education, and that some have resorted to drug addiction out of frustration.
The MP was of the firm conviction that should classes start next month, many would eventually opt for higher learning.
The Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadie Bangura whilst responding to the MP said “Kono University matters are very close to the heart of the Minister”.
Bangura said that he is fully aware that the government is committed to providing allocations that should allow the foundational courses to commence, adding that they are in engagements with stakeholders to ensure that the allocations requested are provided.
He was quick to state “I do take note of the September timeline; definitely we will do the needful to ensure that they have the needed resources to get started”.
The Minister also revealed that the largest international support is effective, which according to him should allow rapid implementation of the investment interventions.
The Kono University of Science and Technology was amongst three universities that were approved by parliament on the 8th July 2021. However the other two: Milton Margai Technical University and Eastern Technical University were already in existence with their initial college statuses, before they were transformed into universities.
President Julius Maada Bio had turned sod on the 19th November 2021 for the construction of Kono University. When functional the university will be the second in the Eastern Region.
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