School Head Praises Sengeh for Transforming Inclusive Education

School Head Praises Sengeh for Transforming Inclusive Education

The Headmaster of the Milton Margai School for the Blind, Salieu Turay, has praised Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh for what he described as the positive transformation of inclusive education during his tenure as Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.

Speaking on Slik TV, Turay said blind pupils and special needs schools benefited greatly from policies introduced under Sengeh’s leadership, particularly through the Radical Inclusion Policy, which sought to improve access to education for vulnerable and disabled children.

“Without exaggeration, before when Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh was Minister of Education, the records are there very clearly, he did extremely very well,” Turay stated.

He added that although he was pleased with Sengeh’s promotion to Chief Minister, he had personally hoped he would continue leading the education sector.

“Even though I am happy for his promotion, I really wanted him to continue in the Ministry of Education,” he said.

According to the Headmaster, visually impaired pupils previously faced discrimination when seeking admission into secondary schools after completing primary education.

He explained that although blind pupils sat internal examinations instead of the National Primary School Examination (NPSE), some schools were reluctant to admit them.

“When someone passed and wanted to attend certain secondary schools, the principals would say they don’t want blind people in their schools,” he recalled.

The Headmaster affirmed that this situation significantly improved when David Moinina Sengeh assumed the role of Minister of Basic Education.

He further noted that the school received substantial benefits during Sengeh's tenure, including uniforms, learning materials, and critical annual government subventions, all aimed at enhancing support for visually impaired children.

Minister Sengeh's widely recognized Radical Inclusion agenda was instrumental in promoting inclusive education policies for marginalized groups across Sierra Leone, including pregnant girls and children with disabilities.

Turay’s commendation contributes to the ongoing public discourse regarding the positive impact of Sengeh’s education reforms, specifically the Radical Inclusion Policy, on expanding educational access for disabled and vulnerable children throughout Sierra Leone.