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Joseph Ezekiel Thulla, the principal at St. Francis Senior Secondary School in Makeni, has raised serious concerns about the Sierra Leone Teachers Union’s (SLTU) failure to advocate for the rights of teachers, particularly principals.
In a recent letter addressed to the SLTU’s Secretary-General, Thulla urged the union to step up its efforts in ensuring better pay, benefits, and working conditions for teachers across the country.
Thulla’s letter points out an ongoing issue that has left many principals frustrated—nearly two full terms have passed without receiving the fee subsidies they are owed. “Principals, who are the backbone of the sector, remain largely disgruntled over the non-payment of fee subsidies,” Thulla said, pointing out the critical nature of the problem.
He called on the SLTU to ensure its advocacy is having a direct impact on government policies and stakeholder engagement to improve teachers’ conditions. “The union must be seen ensuring that its advocacy efforts are visibly and effectively influencing government policies and stakeholder engagements,” Thulla wrote.
Thulla also questioned the effectiveness of the SLTU in representing the interests of teachers, asking, “When and where is the SLTU genuinely speaking for teachers? Are its lobbying efforts truly contributing to the advancement of education in Sierra Leone?” His words reflect the growing sense of frustration among educators who feel that the union is not doing enough to push for tangible changes.
But Thulla’s concerns didn’t stop with pay. He argued that the union’s role should extend beyond just negotiations for better wages. “Teachers deserve a union that consistently fights for their rights, ensures their professional growth, and guarantees that their voices are heard in national conversations about education,” he said. According to Thulla, the SLTU should also be more active in supporting ethical teaching standards, offering legal assistance, and participating in social welfare programs for teachers.
Thulla ended his letter expressing disappointment with the union’s current approach and called for more transparent action to support teachers. “I am disappointed,” he concluded. “Teachers (Principals) deserve a union that consistently fights for their rights, ensures their professional growth, and guarantees that their voices are heard.”
It is saddened to Teachers that the SLTU being the only Union that is expected to lobby on behalf of Teachers, doesn’t seems to doing that but to remain silent completely. Since its inception to present, not much it has delivered as benefits to it’s members despite the huge monthly dues they collect from Teachers. This is unfortunate!