OMBUDSMAN PAYS COURTESY CALL ON THE MINISTER OF BASIC AND SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION AND MANAGEMENT TEAM

In a bid to build and strengthen the cordial working relationship with MDAs, the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq. paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr. Conrad Sackey and his Management Team at their Offices at New England Ville in Freetown.

Making a presentation on his mandate and function, the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq, stated that his Office is mandated to receive and investigate complaints from any member of the public who have suffered injustice as a result of maladministration. He further noted that when members of staff of his Institution go on investigations they are sometimes faced with reprisals from Heads of Institutions. He revealed that the issues of injustices and maladministration are endemic in the Civil/ Public Service. He maintained that his mandate aligns with one of His Excellency's Manifesto promises of revamping the Civil/Public Service which is also Pillar 5 of the Mid-Term National Development Plan.

Thanking the Ombudsman and Team, the Minister, Mr. Conrad Sackey noted that public trust has been eroded and that the Ombudsman has a huge task in ensuring that the Civil/ Public Service are cleared of these administrative anomalies that hamper service delivery.

He noted that 22% of the National Budget goes towards education with 85,000 teachers, 12,000 Schools with 3.5 million pupils.

He thanked the Ombudsman and Team and stressed the need for a whistle blower policy to protect whistle blowers. He further pledged his Ministry's continued support to the work of the Ombudsman.

Communications Dept.
Office of the Ombudsman
076-945-926