By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a move to enhance digital education in Sierra Leone, Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, the non-profit arm of Orange Sierra Leone, donated Digital School Kits to two primary schools St. Theresa’s Police School in Bo District and Holy Family Primary School R.C Boys in Pujehun District, the alma mater of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.
The donations were made on Monday, 10th February, and Tuesday, 11th February 2025, respectively.Each school received cutting-edge equipment such as tablets, Raspberry Pi devices, laptops, Bluetooth speakers, projectors, screens, headsets, extension cables, power banks, and solar panels.
These resources are tailored to enhance digital literacy, providing young pupils with access to digital tools that will revolutionize classroom learning and prepare them for a tech-driven future.In her remarks at both schools, Finnah Mariama Stevens, Head of Orange Digital Centre, highlighted that the Orange Foundation has been actively involved in various humanitarian efforts, particularly in the education sector.
She stated that the donation of digital school kits is a key initiative under the foundation’s education wing.She emphasized the importance of technological tools in driving innovation and bridging the digital divide. She noted that the foundation has donated similar kits to various schools across the country, stressing that these resources are provided free of charge with the vision of ensuring that every child in Sierra Leone has access to the technological tools necessary for today’s digital world.
Finnah Mariama Stevens also underscored Orange Sierra Leone’s commitment to the government’s human capital development agenda, particularly its focus on empowering young girls through access to digital resources.
She urged the schools to utilize the donation effectively, emphasizing that with the right tools and skills, pupils in Sierra Leone can compete with their peers in other countries in the field of technology in the coming years.
Paramount Chief Prince Lappia Boima IV of Kakua Chiefdom, Bo District addressed residents, highlighting concerns about the frequent cutting of mobile operators’ fiber cables, which often leads to poor network connectivity across the country.
Reflecting on his school days, he noted that such digital learning facilities were unavailable to them at the time. He emphasized that today’s pupils are fortunate to be exposed to digital learning at an early age and commended Orange Sierra Leone for its generous donation.
The Paramount Chief urged parents to prioritize their children’s education, stressing that these donated school kits are meant to benefit the pupils, and if children do not attend school, these resources will go to waste.John Abu, Resident Minister of the Southern Region, has expressed appreciation to Orange Foundation Sierra Leone for its generous donation of Digital School Kits, describing it as a gateway to digital learning.
He encouraged pupils to take full advantage of the opportunity, noting that such resources were unavailable during his own school days.”As a responsible company, Orange has proven that it is not just focused on making profits but also committed to giving back to society through meaningful investments in education,” he stated.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bio’s Human Capital Development agenda, which is crucial to transforming the country. He further noted that the donation comes at a critical time when the world is rapidly advancing in digital technology, stressing that Sierra Leone must not be left behind in this revolution.
The Minister concluded by urging the school administration to ensure that the donated digital tools are effectively utilized so that pupils can fully benefit from the enhanced learning experience.Addressing the gathering in Bo, Sekou Amadou Bah, CEO of Orange Sierra Leone underscored the transformative potential of the Digital School Kits in promoting education and empowering pupils through technology.
“These kits are electronic libraries designed to provide educational content to schools with limited or no internet access,” he noted. “Currently, 16 countries, including Sierra Leone, have benefited from this program, with 1,400 schools and 500,000 pupils gaining access to digital education tools.”Over the past three years, Orange Sierra Leone has donated 35 Digital School Kits, impacting over 10,000 pupils nationwide.
The initiative also offers schools the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Wiki Challenge, an international competition organized by Orange Group.Bah urged pupils and teachers to handle the equipment with care and fully utilize them to enhance learning.
“With technology, we can expand our horizons and enable new ways of easy learning. These tools are not just about access but about empowering young minds to explore and innovate,” he stated.He reaffirmed Orange Sierra Leone’s commitment to supporting the government’s human capital development agenda through initiatives that align with President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for the country.
Alusine Senessie, School Assistance Officer for MBSSE in Bo District, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), applauded Orange Sierra Leone for complementing the ministry’s efforts in enhancing digital learning for pupils.He assured the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the donated kits in various schools.
He emphasized that technology is the future, and these digital resources will not only benefit pupils but also support teachers in lesson planning and delivery, ultimately improving learning outcomes in schools.Hawa Bay Jusu, Head teacher of Holy Family Primary School R.C Boys, expressed deep appreciation for the donation of Digital School Kits by Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, describing it as a historic milestone for the school since its establishment in 1912, emphasized that the arrival of the digital kits marks a turning point in the school’s pursuit of technological advancement.
“We are eager to explore these wonderful digital tools in our school, and our vision has finally come true. This donation has brought us honor, respect, and hope,” she stated.
The Head Teacher assured Orange Foundation and all stakeholders that the Digital School Kits which include tablets, laptops, Raspberry Pi devices, projectors, power banks, and other essential tools would be used for their intended purpose to enhance digital literacy among pupils.Additionally, she extended gratitude to Her Excellency, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, for selecting the school as a beneficiary in recognition of it being the alma mater of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.
She called on the government and stakeholders to address these concerns to create a safer learning environment for pupils.Both events concluded with the formal handover of the Digital School Kits to the school administration, symbolizing a new chapter in the pupils’ education journey.
