SL and Bahrain Deepen Educational Cooperation as Ministers Explore New Frontiers in Human Capital Development
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, 24 November 2025 — Sierra Leone and Bahrain have taken a significant step toward deepening bilateral cooperation in education, following a high-level engagement between Her Excellency Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, and His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Bin Mubarak Juma, Bahrain’s Minister of Education.
The meeting, held in Manama, formed part of an official working visit aimed at exploring strategic partnerships that could strengthen Sierra Leone’s educational transformation efforts, particularly in higher education, technical and vocational training, and polytechnic development.
Warm Welcome and Shared Aspirations
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Juma expressed sincere appreciation for the Honourable Minister’s visit, describing it as a testament to Sierra Leone’s commitment to building global alliances that elevate educational standards. He shared Bahrain’s journey toward constructing a modern, high-performing education ecosystem—one grounded in innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive access to learning.
Dr. Juma highlighted the Ministry’s major priorities: early childhood development, school system strengthening, and the expansion of polytechnic education. He drew attention to several flagship projects aimed at enhancing vocational training, teacher capacity, and digital learning resources. These efforts, he noted, are designed to empower the next generation of learners with the competence and confidence needed to transition seamlessly into higher education or the job market.
Bahrain’s Education Success Model
The Sierra Leonean delegation received detailed presentations from senior officials at the Ministry of Education, who outlined Bahrain’s remarkable progress over the years. The briefings showcased the country’s rich educational history, global successes, research-driven reforms, and its impressive integration of technology into teaching and learning.
From advances in technical and vocational training to cutting-edge teacher development programs and its robust policy architecture, Bahrain presented a model of educational innovation that attracted the keen interest of the visiting delegation.
Sierra Leone’s Human Capital Vision
In her address, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie underlined Sierra Leone’s strategic ambition to accelerate human capital development—a national priority firmly anchored in President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers.
She highlighted ongoing efforts to expand access to quality higher education, strengthen technical and vocational pathways, and embrace digitisation as a tool to improve teaching, research, and administration. Dr. Wurie emphasised that empowering women and girls through education remains a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s development strategy.
“Our vision is to build a resilient, inclusive, and competitive education system,” she said, noting that initiatives such as open and distance learning and the newly established National School of Postgraduate Studies are part of a broader plan to make Sierra Leone a hub of academic excellence in the subregion.
The Minister expressed gratitude to Bahrain for its hospitality and openness, stating that Sierra Leone was eager to forge strategic partnerships that could bring mutual benefits and long-term impact.
A Closer Look at Bahrain’s TVET Excellence
The visit also took the Sierra Leonean delegation to the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Institute of Technology and the Bahrain Polytechnic, where Dr. Wurie toured modern laboratories, innovation centres, and training facilities.
At both institutions, she observed how Bahrain’s Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) programs prepare students with hands-on, industry-relevant skills in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, mechanical engineering, graphic design, and renewable energy. These programs, officials explained, were developed in close partnership with industry to ensure graduates remain competitive in an evolving global economy.
Dr. Wurie expressed strong interest in exploring possible collaborations in curriculum development, student and faculty exchanges, and institutional partnerships that could support Sierra Leone’s own TVET expansion efforts.
A Delegation Committed to Transformation
Accompanying the Minister were senior officials who play key roles in Sierra Leone’s educational reforms:
- Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas, Non-resident Ambassador to Bahrain,
- Mr. Mohamed Sheikh Kargbo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education,
- Mr. George Dambo, Student Secretary, MTHE, and
- Mr. Abu Bakarr Ismail Mbayoh, Third Secretary and Arabic Translator, Embassy of Sierra Leone in Kuwait.
Their participation underscored the government’s coordinated effort to build partnerships that can unlock new opportunities for Sierra Leonean students, teachers, and institutions.
Strengthening Ties for a Shared Future
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both sides to explore mechanisms for collaboration in higher education, research opportunities, TVET, and digital transformation. The discussions set the stage for the development of a formal cooperation framework that could lead to scholarship exchanges, institutional twinning, joint research initiatives, and capacity-building programs.
As Sierra Leone undertakes one of its most ambitious education reform journeys in decades, partnerships like this one with Bahrain promise to play a crucial role in shaping a future where more young Sierra Leoneans gain access to quality training, modern skills, and globally competitive opportunities
