By Nasratu Kargbo
A Strategic Communication Analyst at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education (MBSSE) Augustine Sankoh says there has been a forty-five percent increment on teacher’s salary.
He told Politico that agreement on the new pay for teachers was reached late yesterday following a meeting between the Minister Dr. David Sengeh and representatives of the Sierra Leone Teacher’s Union (SLTU). The increment will take effect in January 2023.
However, the Deputy Secretary General of SLTU Alieu Deen-Conteh explained to Politico that the 45% was a proposal made by the Ministry and stated that they had not agreed on that yet. But he said they will have to consult with their members before reaching a definite conclusion later today.
Deen-Conteh noted that they were not ok with the fact that the ministry intends to implement the said proposal next year, he said they had wanted the ministry to implement such in the new academic year. He said the ministry stated that they cannot make that happen because monies for 2022 financial year had already been allocated.
He highlighted the increase in prices of goods and the recent increase in fuel price as challenges for teachers. “Salary has become more devalued” said Deen-Conteh. He explained that such situation is depressing for the teachers and serves as demotivation to them, stating that as a union they are not happy about it. But he also acknowledged that’s what the government can offer.
The Deputy Secretary General however stated that as a union they will encourage their members to accept what has been proposed for now and they will later engage the authorities again.
Negotiations have been going on ever since teachers demanded an improved salary. They had threatened nationwide strike if their demands were not met. At some point they even gave a 21 day strike notice and there were even reports of teachers going to school but refusing to teach.
But as negotiations began in earnest, they put on hold the industrial action.
Mohamed Sallieu Khan leader of the Teachers Solidarity Movement, a group that recently emerged to agitate for improved pay had earlier said the government should harmonize their salaries with that of other civil servants.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (15/06/22)
