The government has committed itself to pay the salaries of newly approved teachers with legitimate claims in both old and new schools effective end of this month.
A press release, issued by the SLTU scribe Davidson A. Kuyateh, states that “these chronic delays prompted the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on Education (SLTU, Ministries of Finance and Education) which seriously looked into the problems and agreed on some measures to ensure the smooth running of schools in the country”.
From this meeting, the release says, the government has committed itself to pay salaries of newly approved teachers with legitimate claims in both old and new schools effective end of this month.
“At least one month backlog salary arrears for new teachers will be paid with effect from May 2007 together with the monthly salary,” it says and notes further that, “salary arrears of this category of teachers will be paid in this manner as at the effective date of approval until all backlog salaries are cleared”.
However the release emphasises that, “schools and missions that have exceeded their teacher ceilings should not expect their new teachers to be paid”.
On fee subsidies, the SLTU scribe affirms that, “although government has expressed its commitment to the payment of fee subsidies, we have not been able to secure a definite date for such payment.”
The press release also maintains that, “we note the importance of fees subsidies in the smooth running of schools especially as we approach the end-of-year activities including the preparation of pupils’ promotional report cards for the attention of parents and school authorities”.
It states however that, “as a responsibility, the Union will continue to vigorously pursue the payment of fee subsidies up to the end of May and if a definite date for payment is not ascertained, we would consult with the National Council of Head Teachers-Sierra Leone (NACOHT-SL), for an appropriate line of action”.
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