The Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union (SLTU) has announced the suspension of its 21-day strike notice, which was set to expire on Monday, November 25, 2024.This decision follows a high-level meeting held on Friday, November 22, 2024, involving representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, the Teaching Service Commission, and senior government officials.
During the meeting, several key issues raised by the union were addressed.
School Fees Subsidies: The government reported that third-term school fees subsidies have been paid. It further assured that first-term fees and related financial obligations would be settled by the first week of December 2024. Officials committed to ensuring timely payment of subsidies at the start of each school term going forward.
Formation of Technical Committees: To address anomalies in the payment of school fees subsidies and review the current subsidy amounts, technical committees comprising representatives from the SLTU, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Teaching Service Commission, and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education will be established immediately. These committees will also focus on the timely replacement of teachers leaving the profession.
Teaching and Learning Materials: The government disclosed that the bidding process for the supply of teaching and learning materials has commenced. Deliveries are expected in 2025.
Recruitment of Technical and Vocational Instructors: Commitments were made to recruit an adequate number of technical and vocational instructors in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education.
Based on these commitments, the SLTU has postponed its planned strike action until Friday, December 13, 2024. The union, however, warned that failure by the government to address the outlined issues by the new deadline would result in teachers embarking on a nationwide strike without further notice.
The SLTU urged its members to remain vigilant while monitoring the government’s actions on these matters.
