Politico Staff writer
The Government of Sierra Leone through the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is set to commence the process of recruiting over one thousand (1,000) teachers adding to the over 36,000 teachers that are already on the government payroll.
The Chairman of the TSC, Conrad Sackey explained that they have just completed the development of the electronic Recruitment Forms with the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), which could now be completed online. He said the commission introduced the online forms in order to prevent complaints normally made by applicants that forms were being sold out to them.
He said they have set up a recruitment committee that will regularly meet to discuss and agree on other modalities.
According to the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, they have recruited about 1,000 teachers in 2021 alone with 36,000 teachers now on the government payroll, a number that he said could rise to 37,500 by the next year.
“Teachers make up 40% of the entire government payroll and over 4,000 teachers have been placed on their right pay grade. Over 300 school heads have been regularized,’’ he said.
He stated that the government will continue to invest and promote teachers as a way to contribute to national development.
Dr. Sengeh noted that there were concerns at the end of April 2020 that the government might not be able to fulfill its commitment due to the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic that forced many nations to reduce budgetary support on education. But said the government kept its promise and paid the 30% salary increase for up to 34,350 teachers across the country.
The increment at the time saw payroll rise by Le 13.45 billion, from Le 42.95 billion in March 2020 to Le 56.40 billion in April 2020.
The minister also spoke about another 45% increase in the salary of teachers recently.
He disclosed that over 500 Principals and Vice Principals have been appointed between August 2020 and November 2021, whom he said were either acting or filled vacant positions.
He recalled how at the Presidential National Best Teacher’s Award, President Julius Maada Bio honoured 48 teachers for their service and dedication. He said two of those teachers were nominated for the African Union Best Teacher Prize while several others benefited from advanced training facilities.
Since the introduction of the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) in 2018, the government has reportedly employed 10,268 teachers nationwide in order to meet the high enrolment of pupils wanting to make use of the opportunity.
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