Orange-SL Champions Human Capital Development
…Delivers third Pre-School in Pujehun
Orange Sierra Leone Limited has over the weekend handed over its third pre-school building at Gombahun Town, Sowa Chiefdom in the Pujehun District. The school is constructed under the company’s Early Childhood Development project, which has been widely acclaimed as complementing the government Free Quality Education Policy in Sierra Leone. There was a massive celebration at the commissioning ceremony that was graced by government officials, local authorities, Orange Officials and well-wishers.
Orange-SL’s Chief Executive Officer, Aminata Kane Ndiaye said a needs assessment was conducted across the country to know the areas where such facilities are required and furthered that the project is implement after the company had pledged to support the Free Quality Education initiative for five years. She recalled that Orange-SL had donated equipment, distributed sanitary pads and provided other facilities in support of education in Sierra Leone. She pointed out that the people must demonstrate a sense of ownership by taking good care of the facilities provided and send their children to school, especially the girl child. “Orange is a responsible company,” she said and furthered that her company is always in touch with the Information and Communications Ministry in providing technical and financial supports to areas of interest. “We are proud to say Orange is an investor that want to stay in Sierra Leone,” the CEO said and revealed that the company has expanded coverage with over 450 sites and has become the biggest company that serves 4 out of every 5 people in Sierra Leone with quality calls and data services.
The Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray who served as the keynote speaker emphasized the importance of education in the development of Sierra Leone, and added that the opportunities given by the President to every children to go to school must be made good use of. Orange Sierra Leone, he said is a household name in Sierra Leone for its remarkable contribution to the Free Quality Education and supports to other areas in the country. Minister Swaray revealed that the Gombahun Community must count itself lucky to have such a project, which they should make good use of by sending their children to school.
Director General of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), Daniel B. Kaitibi described the three schools construct by Orange-SL in Kambia, Moyamba and Pujehun Districts as quality standard school buildings and praised the company for doing well in the telecommunications sector. The NATCOM Boss called on the community people to take advantage of the opportunity provided by Orange by sending their children to school. “I urge you to use the classrooms and other school facilities for their intended purpose,” he advised and added that education is very important to families, communities and the nation.
The Director of Free Quality Education in the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Amara Sowa described pre-schooling system as providing a solid foundation for primary education and furthered that Kambia, Moyamba and Pujehun districts were performing badly in the National Primary School Exams (NPSE), which is why they were selected for the project. He admonished the community people to make good use of the facilities provided and promised that his ministry will provide the necessary equipment and training of Educators. The Director said children between the ages of 3 to 5 years must access the pre-school facilities on a free of charge basis.
Earlier, the Paramount Chief of Sowa Chiefdom, PC Lahai Abdulai Kemoh Sowa II expressed thanks and appreciation to Orange-SL for the school project and requested the company to extend a similar project to other communities.
The Father of the Orange-SL CEO, Amadu Kane, who is on a visit to the country said he is proud to see the good works of his daughter to communities in Sierra Leone and added that he is happy that the school project is in line with President Bio’s free quality education. He admonished the government authorities present to help protect the leadership role provided by his daughter in the Sierra Leone telecommunications industry.