Freetown: The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is moving forward with a series of regional workshops to develop a new, practical curriculum for industrial plumbing.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the latest session was held on November 14, 2025, at the Government Technical Institute in Bo. The workshop brought together experts to review the draft curriculum, check its alignment with national standards, and collect feedback before a final national validation.
Senior officials highlighted the critical need for this initiative. Dr. Joseph Brimah, MTHE’s Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer, stressed that building local technical capacity is essential for Sierra Leone’s development. He pointed out that sectors like mining and agriculture lose value due to a shortage of skilled workers, and that a stronger technical education system is the key to solving this problem.
Abdul A.B. Senesie, Director of TVET, outlined the ministry’s ongoing reforms since 2018. He explained that the shift to a competency-based system is designed to ensure training meets the actual needs of industries, making education more flexible and focused on what learners can actually do.
Augustine Alie, a Senior Education Officer, noted that technical experts have spent three months preparing the draft curriculum. He called on all participants to carefully review the material and provide their insights, emphasizing that this collaboration is vital for the program’s success.
Oladapo Coulson Olowu, PRO for the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education (NCTVE), explained that this modern approach prioritizes hands-on skills over theory. “This feedback will directly shape how skills training evolves in our country,” he stated.
Dr. Daniel Lavalie, MTHE’s Deputy Director for the Southern Region, encouraged attendees to share their expertise freely, as their contributions will help create a curriculum that improves training outcomes nationwide.
The workshop concluded with a detailed presentation from Lead Consultant Ing. Alfred Abu, who covered the curriculum’s objectives and the methodology behind its development.