Freetown, 13 September 2025 — The Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) has suspended its nationwide strike, directing teachers to resume classes on Monday, 15 September, following a week of industrial action over unpaid subsidies and suspended salaries.
The breakthrough came after a series of negotiations between the union and senior government officials, including Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.
The talks, which also engaged the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and the Teaching Service Commission, secured several commitments to address the union’s concerns.
According to SLTU, government has confirmed that school fee subsidies for the second and third terms of the 2024/2025 academic year have already been released to most schools. Remaining institutions that are unpaid or underpaid have been instructed to lodge complaints through their district union offices.
On teacher welfare, 1,802 of the 4,662 suspended teachers have now received their July and August salaries, while another 325 are expected to be paid by the end of September. Verification continues for those still off the payroll.
A joint oversight committee, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and involving the Ministries of Education and Finance, the Teaching Service Commission, and SLTU, has also been formed to monitor implementation and resolve outstanding disputes.
Following an emergency consultative meeting on Friday, SLTU President Ibrahim B. Kargbo praised members for their solidarity during the strike and assured that the union would closely monitor government’s commitments.
The union extended appreciation to allied organisations, including the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, for their mediation efforts.
As schools prepare to reopen, SLTU urged teachers to return to classrooms with renewed dedication while remaining vigilant about the fulfillment of promises made.
