NAME: JAMES B.N.E.

KAMARA

ID NUMBER: 35259

DEPARTMENT: SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK

LEVEL: YEAR FOUR

TOPIC: KNOWN AS THE FIRST WESTERN-STYLE UNIVERSITY IN SUB-

SAHARAN AFRICA, FOURAH BAY COLLEGE HAS, THROUGHOUT ITS 193-
YEAR HISTORY OPERATED ON THE TRADITIONAL FACE-TO-FACE
LECTURE SYSTEM.

ACKNOWLEDGING THE MANY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT

MAY COME ALONG WITH THE VIRTUAL LEARNING, CONSTRUCT AN
ARGUMENT FOR OR AGAINST THE FOURAH BAY E-LEARNING
PROGRAMME.

CONTACT NO: 034517845

EMAIL ADDRESS: jamesnoel199724@gmail.com

HOME ADDRESS: 4MAY DRIVE KINGTOM.

THIS WORK IS SUBMITTED TO STUDENTS UNION GOVERNMENT FOURAH

BAY COLLEGE.
E-learning is a modern method of teaching with the help of electronic devices and internet
connectivity. This is a major tool most universities are using to enhance continuous learning
amidst the spread of Covid-19. The E-learning programme introduced by the University of
Sierra Leone is a laudable initiative amid the many challenges and opportunities. The
challenges surrounding the Digital-learning initiative are many- limited ICT knowledge, lack
of access to Digital-learning devices and internet connectivity are among the many challenges
the E-learning programme will pose to students. Although the E-learning is advantageous to
students, its efficiency and effectiveness is a big doubt.

Firstly, slow internet connectivity will impede the effectiveness of the Virtual-learning
programme. Internet connectivity in the country is very slow and inaccessible in some
communities especially in the provinces. For instance, a total population of 6,592,102 only
2.4% have access to internet. (newswatchnewspapersl.com/2018/11/21/high-cost-of-
internet-data-subscription-kills-opportunities-in-sierra-leone).

High cost of internet data subscription is a concern for mobile users and online subscribers.
People in Sierra Leone pay huge sum of money to have access to internet for online discourse
that supports education compared to other countries in the sub-region. Roughly, students will
have to spend about 20,000 weekly. Come to think of this, in Nigeria, 3GB monthly
subscription is around N1,500 Naira which is Le 25,000 in Sierra Leone.
(Africaprice.com/mtn-nigerian-data-plan-and-prices-2020). In Ghana, the starter monthly
bundles goes for GH10, you are given 550MB that last for 30 days.
(Africaprice.com/Vodafone-ghana-data-plan-and-prices-2020)

Furthermore, many students don’t have access to ICT-learning gadgets; coupled with limited
knowledge about ICT- many students are not tech-savvy. This is evident from the fact that a
survey hasn’t been conducted by the University of Sierra Leone to ascertain how many
students actually have the gadgets needed for the Virtual-learning programme. One also gets
to notice this, when one looks at how students do their assignments on campus. Students run
from one internet café to another to get their assignments done because many don’t have
access to electronic devices.

Moreover, instructional technology has not been embraced over the years by the university
administration in order to get students abreast with ICT application in the lecture room. This
has resulted to students having limited knowledge about E-learning, save for few. Despite
being one of oldest university in West Africa, there is still a clarion call to improve and
reform the educational system in the country and to incorporate ICT courses so as to prepare
Students for the 21st Century workplace. Illiteracy rate stands around 40% and computer
literacy is among the lowest in the African continent. (Sierra Leone: Looking for ICT tools
to Boost Learning, Gbandia Silas, February 21, 2014; www.idgconnect.com). After
numerous engagements with some students, many complained of having some difficulty
accessing the university portal to register and to access online learning materials. Many also
considered it to be a “joke” considering the unpreparedness of the university administration
in launching this initiative. What about students who are physically impaired? Should they be
left out?

Many will point out that the Virtual-learning initiative will be beneficial to students and will
offer them access to updated content- nobody is disproving the opportunities of the E-
learning programme, but there is a big doubt about its effectiveness considering the above
points.

In conclusion, whiles the E-learning is a great initiative, there are numerous problems that
might impede its effectiveness at this point in time. Therefore, great strides should be made to
improve ICT education in the country particularly at the tertiary level so as to prepare
students for such undertakings.