Freetown, September 4, 2025

After days of mounting uncertainty, the Government of Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) have reached a landmark agreement that will see schools reopen nationwide on Monday, September 8, 2025, in line with the official academic calendar.

The breakthrough came just hours after the SLTU had officially declared a nationwide strike set to begin on the same date, citing persistent government inaction on critical education funding and unresolved payroll concerns. The Union’s announcement followed months of suspended industrial action and repeated appeals to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE).

In response, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh convened a high-level emergency meeting at his office, bringing together representatives from the MBSSE, SLTU, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), and the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPASS). The meeting focused on urgent grievances raised by the Union, chief among them, the backlog of school fee subsidies and payroll irregularities.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting:

  • The Government has disbursed overdue subsidies for the second and third terms of the previous academic year.
  • Dedicated committees have been established to address remaining issues, including payroll anomalies and resource shortages.
  • A consensus was reached to proceed with the reopening of schools on September 8, ensuring continuity in the academic calendar.

The Ministry stated that these commitments “have paved the way for the consensus that schools will reopen as earlier scheduled,” reaffirming its dedication to strengthening the education sector and prioritizing the welfare of learners.

The SLTU’s initial strike declaration had threatened to derail the start of the 2025/2026 school year. However, the swift intervention by the Vice President and education authorities appears to have averted a major disruption at least for now.

The Ministry also extended its appreciation to the SLTU, CPASS, TSC, and other education stakeholders for their collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the future of Sierra Leone’s children.

With schools set to reopen, attention now turns to the implementation of the agreed reforms and the continued monitoring of subsidy disbursements, teacher welfare, and institutional accountability.