By: Abass Conteh, Reporter
The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) of Sierra Leone has officially launched the 2025 edition of the Presidential National Best Teacher Award during an inaugural stakeholder engagement meeting held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Sharier Court, behind King Harman Road Hospital in Freetown.
This event marks the beginning of activities to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the award ceremony, which has established itself as a key annual platform for recognizing outstanding teachers across Sierra Leone. The initiative was first introduced in 2018 by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio as part of his administration’s commitment to promoting excellence in education and officially commenced in 2021.
During the launch, Ms. Jammie Victoria Victory Sankoh, Public Relations Officer of the Commission, underscored the significance of the initiative, stating that the award is intended to honor teachers who exhibit exceptional dedication, innovation, and effectiveness in their profession.
Mr. Sorie Ibrahim Turay, Secretary General of the TSC, announced that the award ceremony has been successfully held each year on October 5th, coinciding with World Teachers’ Day. He revealed that the 2025 award celebration will take place from October 3rd to 5th in Makeni, Bombali District, featuring grand festivities to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the initiative.
“This year’s winners will receive commemorative trophies, cash prizes, and, most importantly, national recognition for their vital contributions to shaping the future of Sierra Leone through education,” Mr. Turay told Daily Scope Newspaper.
Madam Hectora Pyne-Bailey, Director of Registration and Licensing at the TSC, provided details about the application process, outlining the eligibility criteria for applicants:
- Must be Sierra Leonean citizens.
- Must be trained and qualified teachers.
- Minimum of five years of active teaching experience; heads of schools require a minimum of ten years.
- Both pin-coded and non-pin-coded teachers are eligible.
- Accepted qualifications include a Teacher’s Certificate, Bachelor’s Degree in Education, or Master’s Degree in Education.
She added that the application process will be conducted online, allowing for self-nominations. All submissions will undergo a rigorous evaluation process, assessed by a panel of education stakeholders and private sector experts.
The launch of the 2025 award has been positively received by education professionals and civil society, viewed as a significant step toward uplifting the teaching profession and motivating educators throughout the country.
As Sierra Leone prepares to honor its educators on a national stage once again, the Teaching Service Commission reiterated its commitment to celebrating and investing in teachers as essential agents of change and development.
For more information, contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
