OMFA (Old Makeni Franciscans Association) UK & Ireland Branch President's Brief

OMFA GENERAL MEETING

30 APRIL 2005

VISIT TO ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL: FEEDBACK FROM PRESIDENT

Introduction

Visit to SFS was not a dedicated trip. The president of OMFA UK & Ireland Branch, Max Sesay, was on a planned private visit to Sierra Leone but agreed to take time off to visit the school and hold discussions with the school principal & proprietors, and Executive Committee members of OMFA Sierra Leone.
The key objective of the visit was to undertake an assessment of the needs of the school and to attempt a problem analysis.
Some of the key areas of interest were identified at the Executive Committee meeting of 20 March 2005. These guided, but by no means limited, the discussions during the visit.

Activities

Visited when schools were yet to re-open after the Easter break; thus no opportunity to observe general student behaviour
Met with Principal of SFS Senior Secondary School (SSS), Mr Alimamy John Sesay, on 6 April 2005;
Met with Bishop Buguzzi on 6 April 2005
Met with Arc Siray A. Timbo, president of OMFA Sierra Leone, on 9 April 2005
Addressed two groups of students on 6 April 2005 – candidates for WASC exams in May/June 2005 and group that makes up the school band
Took photos of students and some buildings
Was unable to meet with principal of Junior Secondary School (JSS)
Was unable to meet with any of the school Governors

Summary of Discussions

With Principal

Scholarship Fund: very necessary, due to poverty in the school; large proportion of students (more than half) unable to pay fees; however, need for limitation on numbers; would help develop criteria.
Learning/Resource Centre: principal’s dream for some time now; previous project proposals failed to secure funding for this; a building (at the back of the School Hall) would be made available for this; need to make a stand-by generator available; need for books, computers, and audio/visual learning aids (such TV, VCR, OHP, power point), etc
School Health Nurse: currently non-existent; acute need for such a basic facility
Teacher Support Fund: marked and accelerating decline in teacher morale; this revolving fund would serve to ensure advance salaries payment and for emergency support, which can then be reimbursed; current staff level is 91 (85 officially recognised/approved by Gov’t); this is a rise from 44 within two years; the monthly wage bill is about Le 20 million
Central Government & High Schools: trend is a general decline in the power of proprietors of Faith schools; this is leading to proprietor withdrawal of traditional support, including funding; hope next president (especially if it’s catholic Solomon Brewa) will be more supportive of Church schools
School Labs: These are in degenerate state; need for re-stocking of old/dilapidated equipment; need also for new equipment
School Bus: acute need for a mini-bus for field and research trips, excursions, inter-school events/activities (eg sports), etc.

With Bishop Biguzzi

Discussed the need for continued interest of proprietors in the running and development of school; views SFS as their “first” school and have no intention of abandoning it
Clearly frustrated with Gov’t interference in private/Faith institutions in the country, especially as they (Gov’t) have no capacity to run them effectively; refer to MTC
Would welcome OMFA role, including an advocacy role, in getting Gov’t to cease interference in SFS; would welcome a letter from OMFA to Gov’t/Minister of Education to this effect;
Concerned about the two shifts in the school (current total school numbers exceed 2,000 pupils); would work with Mr Sesay to secure funding to erect new buildings to accommodate JSS as a way of abolishing the shifts; discussed a possible building contractor, etc
Fatima Institute: Bishop very keen on the development of this private university; other half of the school (right of the road leading to the Seminary) to be dedicated to that; would encourage OMFA members as visiting professors in future once institute is up and running
Keen on the establishment of the Diocese of Makeni Diaspora Association (DOMDA) and would encourage OMFA members to support it

With Siray Timbo

Thank you letter, and awaiting OMFA UK response; issue of outstanding balance for the school band
Last year’s School Day celebrations hailed a big success
He is the major support to OMFA Sierra Leone
Expressed his views on a number of issues, including the principal and the latter’s relationship with the Bishop
Thinks the issue of Gov’t interference in schools more pertinent to St Joseph’s Convent, Makeni (re appointment of principal), but agrees there may be a spill-over effect;
Welcomes the establishment of OMFA US
On OMFA relations: convinced the best way to proceed is for OMFA branches in UK/Ireland and US to work closely with OMFA Sierra Leone, which is the parent body; recommends channelling of any/all support to the school in the name of OMFA as a whole (rather than separately as OMFA UK, OMFA US, etc); this way, there would be better co-ordination and all can share the credit
Welcomes the establishment of the Fatima Institute, but suggests the name of St Francis Institute to help enhance the name of the school
A meeting with the rest of the Executive Committee of OMFA Sierra Leone did not take place due to bereavement.

Key Issues for General Discussion

prioritise school needs/problems identified above and how to fund them
agree on how to link up/liaise with school principal
agree on how to link up/liaise with Bishop & other school governors
agree on how to co-ordinate our work with OMFA Sierra Leone & US
whether/when to write re Gov’t interference in SFS and on the issues of school shifts and Fatima Institute, etc