By Saidu Jalloh, Daily Scope Reporter
FREETOWN, September 22, 2026 — The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education has flagged funding gaps, delayed subventions and poor infrastructure as major threats to tertiary education ahead of the 2027 budget.
The Ministry raised the concerns on Monday, September 21, 2026, during its strategic plan and budget presentation at the Miatta Civic Centre, Freetown, as part of the ongoing FY2027 bilateral budget discussions.
Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara said the Ministry remains committed to strengthening universities and expanding technical and vocational education, but warned that delays in university subventions and limited resources are crippling institutions. He disclosed plans to establish more Government Technical Institutes and Community Technical Colleges and to invest in digital infrastructure, science and technology.
Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Christiana Samu, highlighted progress in the Students’ Loan Scheme, teacher training, curriculum reforms, apprenticeship programmes and digital systems, but said inadequate funding and infrastructure remain major constraints.
Senior Budget Officer Laima A.K. Dumbuya revealed that only 67 percent of the Ministry’s 2025 budget was absorbed, with financing gaps hitting key projects including the Kono University of Science and Technology, the National Archives and Records Centre, and the transformation of Government Technical Institutes into Community Technical Colleges.
The Ministry also called for a stand-alone budget vote for the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education (NCTVE) which supervises technical and vocational institutions.
The bilateral budget discussions, running from September 21 to October 3, are aimed at refining ministries’ proposals for the 2027 expenditure framework.
For more information, contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com
