By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has praised teachers as the foundation of nation-building, describing them as the “true architects of Sierra Leone’s future” during the 2025 Presidential National Best Teacher Awards Ceremony held on Saturday October 4, 2025 at the University of Makeni.
The event brought together senior Government officials, Parliamentarians, Paramount Chiefs, education stakeholders and community leaders to honour the dedication and service of teachers across the country. Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who represented President Julius Maada Bio, emphasized that the Government’s education agenda places teachers at the centre of Sierra Leone’s development.
“Every Sierra Leonean, no matter their humble beginnings, can trace their journey back to a teacher,” the Vice President declared. “Doctors, engineers, farmers, security personnel, business people and leaders — we were all shaped by teachers. They are not just instructors of knowledge; they are nation builders.”
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh highlighted that teachers not only transfer knowledge but also instill discipline, hope and moral values in children. To illustrate their influence, he recalled a personal experience with his daughter:
“My daughter often corrects me when I try to guide her. She will say, ‘No Papa, my teacher said otherwise.’ And even when I remind her that I hold a PhD, she insists, ‘But Papa, this is what my teacher says.’ That is the role of teachers in the lives of our children; shaping their minds, forming their character, and guiding their future.”
He then called on all teachers in attendance to stand, inviting the audience to give them a rousing applause. “This is testimony to your immense contribution to state-building,” he noted.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh reiterated that the centrality of teachers in Sierra Leone’s development agenda is anchored in President Bio’s flagship Free Quality Education (FQE) Programme, which continues to transform the education sector.
“Our Government has expanded access, we continue to train and equip teachers, we provide learning and teaching materials and we are improving school infrastructure,” he said. “Yet, learning can only take place when there are teachers. This explains the centrality of teachers in our educational aspirations.”
He reminded the audience that the Presidential National Best Teacher Award was introduced by President Bio to honor educators across the country from urban schools in Freetown to remote communities like Kurubola, Kamiandor, Bonthe Island and Kisi Teng in Kailahun District.
“Where we honour our teachers, we honour our nation. Where we support them, we secure the future of our country,” he said firmly.
The Vice President congratulated past winners of the awards and extended his appreciation to the 2025 honorees. He described them as role models, not only for their colleagues but also for young Sierra Leoneans aspiring to join the teaching profession.
“This award is about every teacher in Sierra Leone,” he said. “From the smallest classroom in a rural village to the largest schools in our cities, every teacher contributes to the destiny of this nation.”
He stressed that the celebration of teachers should not be confined to a single event but must become a daily recognition of their contribution to shaping Sierra Leone’s future leaders.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh underscored that the Government’s commitment to education is not a temporary policy but a long-standing principle of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
“The vision and commitment of this Government to education, embodied in President Julius Maada Bio’s Free Quality Education, is not political theatre. It is a fundamental ideological pillar of the SLPP since its founding in 1951,” he explained.
“Our commitment to education is not only unmatched, it is unshakable. We are committed to spending our last cent to ensure that every child, whether rich or poor, in the city or in the most remote village, has the opportunity to go to school, secure a decent job and grow into responsible citizens.”
The Vice President reminded the audience that the future of Sierra Leone is not only shaped by political action but also by the daily sacrifices of teachers who nurture young minds. He described the 2025 awards as a proud moment for parents, pupils and policymakers alike.
“Today is a proud day for every parent, every school child, every pupil and every policymaker across Sierra Leone and the diaspora. Today we honour teachers. We salute your courage,” he said.
Ending on a patriotic note, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh declared: “Long live our teachers, long live Sierra Leone and long live our commitment to education. Make no mistake: when you say education, you say SLPP.”
