By Mustapha Dumbuya
The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) under the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in Sierra Leone recently announced its plans to recruit an additional 2,800 teachers across the country. The move comes after the institution publicized that 680 teachers are set to retire in 2023.
Sorie Ibrahim Turay the Executive Secretary from TSC explained that the commission aims to avoid any disruption to the school calendar. To facilitate a smooth transition, the district education secretaries have compiled data at the district level to identify the retiring teachers and their replacements.
According to Mr. Turay, the retirement process for the 680 teachers will take effect on August 31, 2023. He said: “The TSC has ensured that these teachers receive their gratuities along with their final month’s salary on the same date. The new cohort of teachers is expected to be added to the payroll and start their roles by September 1, 2023…”
According to him there is an exception for teachers who specialize in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) subjects. Those who choose to continue their service voluntarily until they reach the age of 65 may be allowed to do so. Mr, Turay also highlighted the government’s efforts to improve the teaching workforce. Since 2018, more than five thousand teachers have been placed on the appropriate pay scale.
According to him, over three hundred School Heads have undergone regularization, and 1,000 new teachers were recruited in 2021. This brings the total number of teachers on the government payroll to 36,509. He said between August 2020 and November 2021, over 500 Principals and Vice Principals have been appointed, some of whom previously served in an acting capacity. Turay stated that no formal complaints were received by the commission.
