Gov’t Response to Teachers’ Strike Highlights Commitment to Free Quality Education

Gov’t Response to Teachers’ Strike Highlights Commitment to Free Quality Education
 
The recent nationwide strike by the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) delayed the reopening of schools, causing disruption across the country. The strike brought to light key issues, including delayed school subsidy payments and the unresolved status of teachers affected by an ongoing payroll verification exercise by the Teaching Service Commission.

In response, the government swiftly cleared subsidy arrears and reinstated thousands of teachers while continuing the verification to uphold the education system’s integrity. Officials emphasize that the exercise is not punitive but protective, aiming to eliminate payroll loopholes and reinvest savings into improving teacher welfare and strengthening the broader education system.

Training and Recognition.

The government has made significant investments in teacher training and introduced the Presidential National Best Teacher Award to celebrate excellence and motivate educators across the nation.

These efforts reflect a strong and ongoing commitment: Sierra Leone is developing a teaching workforce that is empowered, respected, and well equipped to contribute to national development.


A New Conversation About Education…

According to the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, the national dialogue on education has fundamentally changed.
“A decade ago, teachers would go for months without salaries,” he noted.  “Today, we are debating how to build on progress, not how to fix neglect.”

This marks a major shift. The national focus has moved from addressing neglect to fostering growth and ambition. Current challenges such as managing rapid expansion, upgrading facilities, and supporting teachers are signs of progress, not setbacks

Investing in Teachers, Investing in the Future..
 
At the core of the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) initiative are teachers the dedicated professionals who bring classrooms to life. Since 2018, the government has made teacher welfare and professional development a top priority.

– Salary Improvements: Teachers have benefited from multiple salary increments, including a 30% raise between 2018 and 2021. A further staged 45% increase began in 2023, along with an additional 10% allowance.

– Recruitment: Over 10,000 new teachers were hired between 2018 and 2021. An additional 2,000 are expected to be recruited in 2025 to meet the increasing demand for quality education.

– Promotions: Thousands of teachers have been reassessed and placed on appropriate salary scales. In 2025, 3,043 more teachers are scheduled for promotion.