By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
The Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) has officially suspended its nationwide strike, urging educators to resume classes starting Monday, September 15, 2025.
This decision follows extensive discussions involving the Vice President, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, the Teaching Service Commission, and other key stakeholders aimed at resolving the union’s concerns.
The SLTU announced that the government has confirmed the distribution of subsidies for the second and third terms of the 2024/2025 academic year to most schools. Institutions that have not received full payments are instructed to report to district union representatives for verification.
Regarding payroll issues, the union revealed that 1,802 out of 4,662 teachers suspended from the payroll have received salaries for July and August, with an additional 325 teachers set to receive their payments in September, including arrears. Ongoing verification processes are in place for those initially excluded.
To address these issues comprehensively, a joint committee has been established, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and including representatives from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, the Ministry of Finance, the Teaching Service Commission, and the SLTU.
During an emergency consultative meeting on Friday, September 12, the SLTU, along with its sub-associations—including 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)—encouraged teachers to return to their posts while the union continues to oversee the implementation of the agreed measures.
The SLTU expressed appreciation to its members for their solidarity during the strike and thanked the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, and other supporting organizations. The union also urged educators to remain dedicated to providing quality education as the verification and monitoring of payments and payroll regularization proceed.
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