Following the 21-Days strike notice the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) issued to the government for failure to pay school fees subsidies, the union’s acting secretary-general, Rev. James Lahai, shares an update on the next line of action the union will take if the government fails to comply with their demands at the end of the ultimatum.

In a press release dated November 4, 2024, the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) expressed concern over the government’s failure to fulfil its financial obligations in regards to the school fees subsidies. The Union demands that the government should pay the 2023/2024 third term tuition fees subsidies as well as the 2024/2025 first term tuition fees subsidies.
The union further outlines other various demands from the government, which include:

Ensuring prompt payment of school fee subsidies at the commencement of every school term.

Rectifying nonpayment, underpayment, and other anomalies in the payment of subsidies.

Adjusting the current amount of subsidy paid per pupil to reflect the current economic inflation. Facilitating the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to effect timely replacement of teachers where vacancies occurred.
Supporting schools with the supply of necessary learning materials to ensure effective learning in the schools.

Placing technical and vocational instructors on payroll and the overall development of vocational and technical institutions.

Speaking to Liberty Online TV, Rev. Lahai digresses on the challenges of schools operating without the required finances and its impact on the education system.

He furthered that the union has reached out multiple times to the government through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Schools to adhere to their complaints, but it has been futile. As a result, the union held a consultation with heads of schools across the country, and they all agreed that “No Money, No Schools.” This means that schools will close until the government adheres to their grievances.

He backed up his assertions with a legal clause from ‘The Industrial Relations and Wages Act of 1971’ that allows employees to send a 21-day strike notice to withdraw their services if the employer fails to uphold their contractual obligations of the agreement.

He went on to express his dissatisfaction, pointing out that the tuition subsidy fee is only NLE 10 per pupil, which he believes makes it unreasonable for the government to delay payment.

Rev. Lahai concludes by urging the government to meet their demands before the expiration of the ultimatum, which has already been in effect since November 4th, 2024.