By Francis H. Murray
The Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) has lauded the recent 30% salary increment for teachers in government schools across the country, describing it as a fulfillment of government’s promise.
The government had negotiated a 30% salary increment with teachers at the end of the last year, promising it to put it into effect at the end of April.
In the build up to the end of April, there were concerns that the government might not be able to fulfill its commitment due to the emergence of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
But the government kept the promise and paid the 30% increase for up to 34,350 teachers across the country.
A statement from the union last week said: ‘‘The Union registers its appreciation to government and the Teaching Service Trade Group Negotiation Council members for their invaluable contribution during the process of negotiations,’’ adding: ‘‘teachers deserve special commendation for their continued patience and resilience in pursuance of the Free Qualify Education flagship program’’.
The increment means that the payroll for teachers has now increased by Le13, 45 billion, from Le42.95 billion in March 2020 to Le56.40 billion in April in 2020.
The Ministry of Finance said the annual teacher wage bill for teachers has now increased from Le474.16 billion in 2019, to Le636.62 billion for 2020, this includes additional costs of new teachers that will be brought on the payroll.
The government has employed up to 4000 teachers in the last two years, to replace retired teachers and cope with the increased demand for teachers as a result of high enrollment in to schools.
This is the highest salary increment for teachers for over a decade. The Bio administration’s flagship program is the Free Quality Education for which teachers are a major component.
But in spite of the salary increment, the SLTU urged the government to enable the signing of the new collective bargaining agreement that resulted from the concluded negotiations last year.
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