By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Opposition Whip in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara (AKK), has voiced serious concern over what he described as glaring gaps in Sierra Leone’s education sector, as thousands of teachers across the country continue their nationwide strike.
Speaking at Liberty Online TV on Wednesday, Hon. Kamara said the strike highlights deeper systemic challenges that have long plagued the education sector, stressing that government’s failure to adequately engage stakeholders before the start of the academic year has worsened the crisis.
According to him, the current industrial action by teachers is not merely a wage-related dispute but reflects long-standing grievances regarding poor planning, lack of communication, and insufficient consultation with school authorities, arguing that such failures have created unnecessary disruptions for pupils and parents who are now uncertain about the resumption of classes.
“The government often fails to engage with school stakeholders to identify and address loopholes before the official commencement of the school academic year,” Hon. Kamara said. “If we continue to overlook these issues, we risk putting the education of our children in jeopardy.”
The nationwide teachers’ strike, which began earlier this week, has forced the closure of schools across the country. Teachers are demanding the immediate payment of outstanding salaries, improved working conditions, and a review of promotion and pension schemes. The action has left thousands of pupils stranded at home, with parents expressing frustration over the uncertainty surrounding their children’s education.
Hon. Kamara urged the government to act swiftly and engage in genuine dialogue with the teachers’ unions in order to find a sustainable solution, warning that any further delay could erode public confidence in government’s commitment to delivering quality education.
“The future of Sierra Leone depends largely on the quality of education we provide for our children. It is therefore important for the government to resolve this strike as quickly as possible. Dialogue, compromise, and proactive planning are the only ways forward,” he added.
Observers say the teachers’ strike has again exposed the fragile state of Sierra Leone’s education system, despite major reforms introduced in recent years under the Free Quality Education (FQE) initiative. While the government has made significant investments in expanding access to education, concerns remain over inadequate teacher remuneration, overcrowded classrooms, and limited teaching materials.
Parents interviewed in Freetown expressed disappointment that the start of the school year has been disrupted. “We make sacrifices to prepare our children for school, but every year there are problems,” said Fatmata Kamara, a mother of three. “The government and teachers must find common ground because our children deserve better.”
Education analysts have also noted that continued strikes undermine progress made under the FQE program. They argue that without addressing the welfare of teachers, the ambitious drive to expand education access risks losing momentum.
Hon. Kamara emphasized that Parliament has a duty to hold the executive accountable for ensuring stability in the education sector, pledging that the opposition would continue to highlight shortcomings and push for urgent reforms.
“The strike should serve as a wake-up call,” he concluded. “We must fix the gaps now if we are serious about building a strong education system for the next generation.”
The government has yet to announce a clear timeline for resolving the strike, though sources indicate that negotiations with teachers’ unions are ongoing. For now, uncertainty lingers as pupils wait anxiously for schools to reopen.
