Freetown, 21st January 2026- In a surprise visit to Vine Memorial Secondary School, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Conrad Sackey issued a stern directive aimed at improving student safety and reshaping the future of education in Sierra Leone.
“No child’s life should ever be endangered on a school campus,” Sackey declared, referencing the tragic deaths of two pupils at National Pentecostal Primary School last year. “That pain must not be repeated.”
The Minister announced that all abandoned vehicles within school compounds must be removed within one week, describing them as “death traps.” Acknowledging the financial burden this may pose, Sackey pledged the full support of his office in coordinating with the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) and other agencies to facilitate the removals. “The safety of our children is a sacred duty. We have lost two already. We will not lose more,” he said.
Beyond immediate safety concerns, Sackey emphasized the need for transformative educational reform. During his visit, he engaged Vine Memorial’s principal on a bold Technical and Vocational (Tech Voc) initiative aimed at aligning education with market demands in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, customer service, and agriculture.
“This isn’t just about workshops,” Sackey explained. “It’s about connecting learning directly to market demands.”
He painted a vision of schools equipped with mock hotels, training kitchens, and agricultural hubs—spaces where students could gain certified skills and schools could generate income by opening facilities to industry after hours.
“Imagine students graduating with certified skills that employers are begging for,” Sackey said. “Imagine schools generating their own income. This is the future we must build—a future where our students don’t just pass exams, they master trades, they innovate, and they lead.”
He concluded with a call to action: “The tragic past must fuel a safer, smarter, and more skilled future. I am proud of our educators, and I am committed to being your facilitator in this crucial journey. Our children’s lives and their futures depend on the decisions we make today.”
