In a jubilant celebration of excellence in education, the winners of this year’s Presidential National Best Teachers’ Award (PNBTA) were honoured on October 5th, 2023, coinciding with World Teachers’ Day. Adama Soko Bangura from KDEC Primary School in Kambia 1 and Mohamed Bassie Kamara from Birch Memorial Senior Secondary School in Makeni emerged as the national champions, each receiving a substantial prize of NLE 45,000 along with a piece of land.
Expressing her elation, Madam Bangura, who boasts 18 years of dedicated service in the field of education, remarked, “I feel so proud and excited to be a winner of the Presidential National Best Teacher Awards and to be named the Best Primary School Teacher of the Kambia district for 2023. It is a motivating factor for me to do more in my work as a teacher.”
Similarly, Mr. Kamara, who has dedicated 11 years to teaching, shared his feelings of honor, saying, “I feel honoured to be a winner of this year’s Presidential National Best Teacher Awards. This shows that the classroom is a place to be. Teaching is a career and not just a dumping ground. I know this will motivate other teachers to do their best.”
This year’s PNBTA, held under the theme “The Teachers We Need For The Education We Want,” witnessed an unprecedented number of nominations, with 1,037 educators from across the nation being recognized.
From this pool of talent, 320 finalists were shortlisted, with 20 representing each district, divided equally between pre-primary and primary education and Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary education. Ultimately, 32 district champions emerged and competed at the regional level, culminating in the selection of ten regional winners, including two from each region. The two national winners, Mrs. Bangura and Mr. Kamara, emerged triumphant from this elite group.
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, emphasized the significance of the celebration, stating, “As we gather to celebrate the Presidential Best Teachers Awards alongside World Teachers’ Day 2023, we come together not just to express gratitude and appreciation, but to recognize the profound impact that teachers have on our lives and the future of our great nation.”
The inception of the PNBTA scheme can be traced back to the State Opening of Parliament in May 2018, where His Excellency the President, Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, underscored the pivotal role of teachers in the nation’s development. He pledged to recognize and reward their contributions through initiatives like the Presidential National Best Teacher Awards Scheme. His vision aimed to boost teachers’ morale and productivity, especially in light of the Flagship program, Free Quality Education.
During the award ceremony, the Chief Minister, Dr. Moinina David Sengeh, representing President Bio, announced the impressive rewards for the two national winners. Each received NLE 45,000 in addition to the coveted piece of land. Dr. Sengeh also affirmed the Government’s commitment to further improve teachers’ conditions, promising a 15% salary increase in 2024 and other enhancements in line with the SLPP Government’s manifesto.
Commending the Government’s dedication to education, Dr. Abdu Muwonge, the World Bank’s Country Manager for Sierra Leone, lauded the award ceremony as a testament to the Government’s commitment to building a brighter future through education.
Sorie Turay, the Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), highlighted the core objectives of the PNBTA, emphasizing its role in recognizing and promoting excellence among teachers to contribute to Sierra Leone’s human and economic development.
In honouring these outstanding educators, Sierra Leone reaffirms its commitment to valuing and investing in its teaching professionals, recognizing them as the cornerstone of a brighter future for the nation.
