Section 9, The Education Act, 2004

(1) Technical and vocational education is defined as thateducation provided in government approved educational institutions in which– (a) the aim shall be to develop self-reliance and self-actualisation in individuals as well as the progressive development of society and the economy of the country through technical and vocational training in all areas of urgent need especially the agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors; and (b) the objectives shall be– (i) to fill the gap in technical and vocational manpower needs of Sierra Leone by substantially increasing the number of indigenous skilled lower middle level ‘blue collar’ workers; (ii) to produce a more literate, numerate and enterprising lower middle level technical and vocational workforce and thus speed up national development; (iii) to encourage women and girls to participate in national development through the acquisition of technical and vocational skills; (iv) to correct the present geographical imbalance in distribution of technical and vocational resources; (v) to develop appreciation and understanding of the increasing complexity of science and technology; (vi) to create an enabling environment for the development of appropriate indigenous technology; (vii) to provide training for technical and vocational instructors, teachers and lecturers; (viii) to develop an appreciation of cultural and aesthetic values in productive work. (2) There shall be a National Council for Technical and Vocational Education (N.C.T.V.E.) appointed by the Minister to assist the Government to run and co-ordinate technical and vocational (3) The Council shall consist of not less than three and not more than seven persons appointed for their proven knowledge and experience in technical and vocational education. (4) Technical and vocational education shall be organised in the manner set out in the First Schedule.