There are not enough spaces in campus-based provision of higher education in Sierra Leone to accommodate the need. It is, therefore, necessary to expand the use of open and distance learning (ODL) provision. Tertiary education stakeholders met recently to develop and validate guidelines for establishing and assessing ODL institutions in Sierra Leone.

The meeting was facilitated by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) with the support of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), with a commitment to the following objectives – develop standards that ensure high-quality education and training in ODL institutions and programmes; create assessment frameworks that are fair and effective for ODL; foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in ODL; and ensure that the ODL standards set are aligned with International best practices.

Opening the meeting, the Honourable Minister Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie of the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), said the gathering was not just a meeting of minds but to consolidate the work of visionaries dedicated to enhancing the quality of education through ODL. The Minister added that ODL has emerged as a transformative force in the educational landscape, offering flexible, inclusive and learner-centred opportunities. It is also a powerful tool to democratise education and enhance lifelong learning in response to the dynamic needs of society. She noted that the majority of those qualified are not currently able to access tertiary education due to the limited capacity of campus-based institutions, with less than 50 per cent admitted into tertiary education institutions because of the low carrying capacities.

Professor Peter Scott, President and CEO of COL, added, “COL is delighted to be working with Sierra Leone to bring the benefits of higher education to even greater numbers of learners through open and online learning.”

TEC Chairman, Professor A. M. Alghali, explained that TEC regulates and ensures quality in tertiary education. He thanked COL for supporting the Commission’s work and emphasised the need for a robust policy based on international standards adapted to Sierra Leone’s context.