The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, has formally received the official report from the Union of Academic Staff Association (UASA) following its national retreat held earlier this year. The report was presented at the Ministry’s Conference Room in New England Ville by Secretary-General Abu Bakar Sheriff, with UASA President Dr. Brima Gegbe leading the delegation.

Dr. Wurie commended UASA for its contributions to the academic sector and its continued efforts to support educational reforms in Sierra Leone. The retreat, held over three days in Kenema in May 2025, brought together academics, policymakers, and government leaders under the theme: “The Role of Tertiary Institutions in Strengthening Quality Education and the Big Five Game Changers in Accelerating Economic Growth and Building Resilience in Sierra Leone.”

Key outcomes from the retreat included calls for thorough evaluations of the Free Quality Education program, enhanced collaboration with the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), and reforms in funding, infrastructure, and curriculum development through research and advocacy.

The meeting also focused on the draft Conditions of Service (CoS) for 2025–2028. Minister Wurie urged Academic Staff Associations (ASAs) to complete internal reviews and submit draft proposals to their Governing Councils for TEC review within three months. UASA encouraged its members to expedite the process before the current executive’s tenure ends in September 2025. A follow-up review meeting has been scheduled for August 29 at Freetown Polytechnic.

In addition, the Ministry launched the new WAN GOVT platform for student fee payments, aiming to enhance transparency, provide official receipts, and ensure institutional expenditures align with strategic goals.

During the meeting, Desmond Songo-Davies, President of the University of Sierra Leone (USL) Academic Staff Association, raised concerns regarding unpaid wage adjustments for recently promoted employees.

While institutions such as Njala University and Eastern Technical University (ETU) have received compensation, USL staff remain unpaid. Minister Wurie requested evidence from USL and confirmed that the Ministry would liaise with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the matter.