To address the impending retirement of over 700 teachers and head teachers by August this year, the Government, through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), has devised a plan to hire more than 2,500 new teachers. According to Politico newspaper, Sorie Ibrahim Turay, the Executive Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), disclosed that there are intentions to recruit 2,800 teachers.
The goal is to ensure a smooth transition, as the retiring teachers will leave their positions in August, and the new cohort of teachers is expected to assume their roles and be on the payroll by September 1, 2023. This will involve the retirement of 680 teachers by August 31, 2023, along with receiving gratitude payments and monthly salaries.
In adherence to the legal mandate of retiring public servants at age 60, concessions are, however, provided in the teaching profession. Teachers who specialize in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) will be allowed to extend their tenure until the age of 65.
The recruitment of new teachers aims to not only replace the retiring educators but also to fill existing vacancies and address the staffing shortages in the teaching profession. Currently, many teachers in Sierra Leone are being paid stipends and are not officially on the government payroll, exacerbating the understaffing issue.
Amidst these developments, newly promoted teachers have expressed concerns regarding their salary and have called on the Government to adjust their pay according to their new positions.
The education sector in Sierra Leone faces challenges in maintaining a sufficient number of qualified teachers, and addressing these issues will be crucial for the improvement of the country's education system. The recruitment of new teachers and the extension of tenure for specialized educators represent steps toward strengthening the education workforce in the nation.