By Mahamood Fofana
Prof. Momoh says TC and HTC qualifications must give way to modern degree programmes
The Vice Chancellor and Principal of Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST), Prof. Rev. Edwin J.J. Momoh, has called for a gradual shift from Teacher Certificate (TC) and Higher Teacher Certificate (HTC) programmes towards degree-based teacher training in Sierra Leone.
Prof. Momoh said the rapid advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the demands of the modern classroom and requires teachers with stronger academic, technological and professional skills.
He acknowledged the important role TC and HTC qualifications have played in Sierra Leone’s education system but argued that teacher training must evolve alongside changes in education and technology.
“As generations progress, we have to be dynamic in our thinking. TC and HTC are not the only teacher qualifications,” he said.
The EBKUST Vice Chancellor made the remarks while advocating for stronger academic preparation for teachers, particularly those responsible for delivering the country’s evolving secondary school curriculum.
According to Prof. Momoh, the implementation of the new secondary school curriculum has faced challenges, including a shortage of teachers with the specialised knowledge and skills needed to effectively teach some areas of the curriculum.
He disclosed that EBKUST has therefore begun gradually phasing out TC and HTC programmes at the university to create greater opportunities for degree-level teacher education.
“We are phasing out TC and HTC at EBKUST because they don’t speak to the current contextual reality,” Prof. Momoh stated.
He suggested that Grade-B institutions could continue to provide TC and HTC training, while universities increasingly concentrate on degree programmes that combine subject specialisation with professional teacher education.
The proposal comes as Sierra Leone’s education sector continues to confront the challenge of preparing teachers for classrooms increasingly influenced by technology and new approaches to learning.
Prof. Momoh stressed that teachers must be equipped not only with pedagogical skills but also with the academic and technological competence required to respond to changing educational needs.
His position places degree-level teacher education at the centre of a broader conversation about the future of teacher training in Sierra Leone, particularly as ICT and AI continue to reshape how students learn and how teachers deliver lessons.
