The Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) has announced district-level meetings with heads of schools nationwide to address the ongoing non-payment of school fee subsidies by the government.

This initiative is crucial for managing educational operations amid financial constraints.

In a press release on 25th October 2024, the SLTU called for all heads of government and government-assisted schools to meet on Wednesday, 30th October 2024, at 11:00 AM.

The meetings aim to devise strategies to maintain quality education without the essential financial support.

The SLTU’s decision follows repeated attempts by various sub-associations, including the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS) and the National Council of Head Teachers (NaCOHT), to address the subsidy issue.

Despite sending multiple letters to the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, no response has been received.

The SLTU emphasized the importance of these meetings for heads of schools to collectively discuss their concerns and explore solutions.

The situation has deteriorated since Minister Conrad Sacky assumed office, with educators expressing frustration over perceived mismanagement of educational funds. The lack of timely subsidies threatens the progress made in the education sector.

The SLTU hopes to unify school leaders in advocating for the necessary resources to ensure a stable educational environment for students across Sierra Leone, calling on all heads of schools to prioritize attendance at these critical discussions.