By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) has called off its nationwide strike and instructed teachers to return to classrooms on Monday, September 15, following assurances from Government authorities to address critical concerns raised by the Union.
The week-long industrial action, which began on September 8, disrupted learning across the country and was strongly supported by SLTU’s affiliate bodies, the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS), the National Council of Head Teachers (NaCOHT), the Council of Heads of Technical and Vocational Institutions (CHTVI) and the Nursery Schools Association (NSA).
Negotiations chaired by Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, proved decisive in breaking the deadlock. According to Union officials, engagements with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and the Teaching Service Commission led to tangible Government commitments that paved the way for suspending the strike.
Government confirmed that fee subsidies for the second and third terms of the 2024/2025 academic year had been disbursed to the majority of schools nationwide. Institutions yet to receive full payments have been advised to lodge complaints through their district union structures for redress.
In addition, of the 4,662 teachers previously suspended from the payroll, 1,802 have been reinstated and paid salaries for July and August. A further 325 are expected to receive backlogged payments in September, while verification continues for others still excluded.
A joint monitoring committee, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and including representatives from the Ministries of Education and Finance, the Teaching Service Commission and the SLTU, has been formed to resolve all outstanding issues.
At an emergency consultative meeting held on Friday, September 12, SLTU Executives voted to suspend the strike. Union President Ibrahim B. Kargbo underscored the importance of vigilance, stressing that SLTU and its partners would closely monitor subsidy payments and teacher salary restorations.
SLTU Secretary General, Morris S. Conteh, in an official release, called on teachers to resume duties and continue serving the nation with dedication while keeping watch on the implementation of Government’s promises.
The Union extended appreciation to the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, other supporting organizations for their solidarity during the standoff.
With schools reopening today, the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) urged its members to stay united, committed and resolute in the struggle for improved conditions of service while welcoming the Government’s efforts to tackle long-standing challenges in the education sector.
