SLTU Raises Concern Over Teachers Missing From Payroll

By Hassan Osman Kargbo

The Sierra Leone Teachers Union has raised fresh concerns over the growing number of teachers across the country who are still not receiving salaries despite actively serving in classrooms.

Speaking during AYV’s “Wake Up Sierra Leone” programme, the Deputy Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, Alieu Deen Conteh, said many qualified teachers continue to work without being placed on the government payroll.

According to him, the situation is affecting morale within the teaching profession and creating serious challenges for effective learning in schools nationwide.

“We have a good number of teachers who are not on the payroll,” he stated during the discussion, while calling for urgent attention to the issue from the relevant authorities.

Conteh explained that teachers who work for months or even years without salaries often struggle to meet their daily needs, making it difficult for them to fully concentrate on classroom delivery and student performance.

He stressed that the quality of education depends heavily on the welfare and motivation of teachers, adding that no education system can succeed if those responsible for teaching are neglected.

“Effective teaching cannot continue if teachers are not motivated enough to deliver,” he said.

The union official noted that while teachers remain committed to supporting the country’s education sector, many are becoming increasingly frustrated over delays in payroll inclusion and other welfare concerns affecting the profession.

He also clarified that the union’s current concerns go beyond salary increases, saying many teachers are simply demanding regular and timely payment for the work they are already doing.

“We’re not talking about a salary increase, and that is another big issue,” Conteh added.

The comments have once again brought national attention to long standing challenges within Sierra Leone’s education sector, particularly issues relating to teacher welfare, delayed salaries, and administrative bottlenecks affecting payroll management.

Education stakeholders have repeatedly argued that improving the conditions of service for teachers is essential to strengthening the country’s human capital development agenda and improving academic standards in schools.

Teachers across several districts have in recent years complained about delays in recruitment processing, unpaid salaries, and difficulties in accessing official approval for payroll inclusion after being deployed to schools.

Many education observers believe addressing these concerns could help improve teacher retention, boost classroom performance, and encourage more qualified professionals to remain within the education sector.

The Sierra Leone Teachers Union continues to advocate for better working conditions, timely payment systems, and stronger government support aimed at improving the welfare of teachers nationwide.

The discussion on AYV has since sparked wider public debate about the future of education and the need for sustained investment in the country’s teaching workforce.