The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) is collaborating with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to implement a systematic teacher retirement and recruitment process. In 2023, a list of 680 teachers is scheduled for retirement, with 203 of them serving as Head Teachers in various public schools.
Mr. Sorie Turay, the Secretary of TSC, confirmed that the recruitment of new teachers will commence on August 31, 2023. This decision was approved by the Cabinet to maintain a standardized schedule for teacher retirements, minimizing disruptions to the school year.
Teachers who are eligible for retirement, as per the mandatory retirement age in the teaching service (60 years), have received their retirement letters earlier in the year. They are required to complete the retirement forms and submit them to the TSC Offices in their respective districts. These forms will then be processed by the Ministry of Finance. In case they haven't received copies of their retirement letters, they can obtain them from the TSC Offices.
It's important to note that teachers specializing in Science, Technology, Agriculture, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEAM) subjects have the option to extend their retirement age to 65 years, should they choose to do so.
Mr. Sorie Turay emphasized that the retirement of teachers is in alignment with the mandatory retirement age, with the exception of STEAM subject specialists who can opt for later retirement. As part of the ongoing process, the government is currently processing 2,800 teachers who will soon be included in the government payroll.
Teachers constitute a significant portion of the government payroll, accounting for 40% of it. Over the years, the government has made efforts to ensure that more than 5,424 teachers are correctly placed on their appropriate pay grades. Moreover, around 300 school heads have been regularized to establish a well-structured educational leadership system.
Reflecting on the progress made in 2021, the government successfully recruited 1,000 teachers to enhance the overall quality of education nationwide. As of now, approximately 36,509 teachers are registered on the government payroll. The continuous renewal of teaching personnel is a crucial step in ensuring the growth and improvement of the educational system.