By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter
Foday Kuyateh, the Western Area Regional Secretary of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU), has expressed disappointment over the national budget’s 21% allocation to the education sector, calling it inadequate in addressing the welfare of teachers. In an interview with Truth Media, Kuyateh lamented the lack of meaningful improvements for educators despite optimistic projections surrounding the increased education budget, a priority identified since 2018.
“The 21% allocation is a letdown for the teaching profession,” he stated. “Although the government has made some increases, they are not substantial enough to improve teachers’ living conditions.” Kuyateh highlighted that the union had hoped the budget would enhance the status of the profession, aiming for a minimum monthly salary of Le3,000 for the least qualified teachers. However, he confirmed that “not a single teacher” currently earns that amount.
He urged the government to address these disparities by empowering the Wages and Compensation Commission. Kuyateh suggested that harmonizing salaries across public sectors, particularly by adjusting the pay of higher-earning parastatals, could provide the necessary funding to increase educators’ salaries nationwide.
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