Makeni, Sierra Leone – The spotlight of this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebration in Sierra Leone fell on Mr. James Idriss Bangura and Mr. Hassan Turay, both from the Western Area Rural District, who emerged as the Presidential Best Teachers of 2025.
The two educators were crowned during the National Best Teachers Awards ceremony in Makeni, after advancing through a rigorous selection process that began at district and regional levels. Out of thirteen regional finalists, six made it to the national stage, with Bangura and Turay ultimately taking the top honors.
Each winner walked away with NLe 60,000, but officials stressed that the recognition carried a greater weight than the cash prize. Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, praised the winners as role models for the teaching profession.
“They are the shining stars of our nation. Their dedication and creativity reflect the excellence thriving in our classrooms,” he said.
Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who presented the awards, described teachers as “architects of our future,” noting that recognizing outstanding educators was vital to national development.
The awards ceremony formed part of President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship Free Quality Education program, with teacher recognition serving as a pillar to motivate and inspire excellence across the education sector.
For Bangura and Turay, the honor is more than personal achievement—it symbolizes the resilience and innovation of teachers nationwide, working every day to shape the future of Sierra Leone.
