Delayed Fee Subsidies Could Affect Free Education Progress – SLTU President Warns
The Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) has warned that the reopening of schools could be undermined by delays in the payment of government school fee subsidies for the third term, coupled with shortages of essential teaching and learning materials across schools.
SLTU President, Ibrahim Bankapoma Kargbo, said teachers remain ready and willing to return to the classroom when schools reopen, but expressed concern that their presence alone may not guarantee effective teaching and learning if schools continue to operate without the resources they need.
According to Kargbo, teachers are committed to reporting to their respective schools and doing their part to ensure that the academic year proceeds normally. However, he stressed that the effectiveness of the education system depends not only on teachers being physically present, but also on schools having the financial and material support required to function properly.
He said the delayed payment of third-term school fee subsidies has created serious difficulties for school authorities, particularly those who depend on government support to meet basic operational costs.
Kargbo explained that the problem extends beyond school fees, noting that suppliers of teaching and learning materials are also affected when payments are delayed. Schools need essential materials to support classroom instruction, yet suppliers may become reluctant to provide goods and services when they are uncertain about when they will receive payment.
He said the situation creates a cycle in which schools struggle to obtain supplies, suppliers lose confidence in extending credit to schools, and teachers ultimately find themselves working in environments where the necessary resources are unavailable.
The SLTU President warned that this could have a direct impact on students, particularly those from vulnerable families who depend heavily on the public education system.
He argued that while teachers are prepared to return to work, the government must ensure that the financial commitments made to schools are fulfilled in a timely manner. He said teachers should not be expected to deliver quality education in circumstances where schools lack the basic materials required for effective teaching.
Kargbo also raised concerns about the recurring nature of the problem. He suggested that delays in school financing have continued from one academic year to another, leaving school administrators struggling to plan ahead.
He noted that when schools do not receive funds on time, heads of schools can face pressure from suppliers and service providers who expect payment for goods and services already provided.
The SLTU President further recalled previous discussions surrounding the financial responsibilities of school heads and the difficulties they face when attempting to keep schools functioning without adequate government funding.
He stressed the need for clear written guidelines on how school authorities should operate when subsidies are delayed, arguing that school heads should not be placed in situations where they could be accused of financial mismanagement simply because they are trying to keep their schools running.
Kargbo said the government and education authorities must take responsibility for creating the conditions necessary for teachers to perform effectively.
He maintained that the education system cannot depend solely on the commitment and sacrifice of teachers while critical financial and logistical challenges remain unresolved.
The concerns come at a sensitive time as schools prepare to reopen, with parents, pupils and teachers expecting a smooth start to the academic period.
For teachers, the issue is not simply about returning to the classroom. It is about whether they will return to schools that are adequately prepared to receive pupils, equipped with teaching and learning materials and financially capable of meeting their basic obligations.
Kargbo therefore called for urgent action to address the outstanding subsidies and supply shortages before the challenges further affect classroom activities.
He said teachers will do what is required of them, but government must also do its part by ensuring that schools receive the resources promised to them.
The SLTU’s warning raises a broader question about the sustainability of Sierra Leone’s education financing system. While government continues to promote access to education, questions remain about whether funding is reaching schools quickly enough to translate policy commitments into effective classroom learning.
For pupils, especially those in disadvantaged communities, delays in funding can have consequences beyond administrative inconvenience. A school without adequate books, learning materials, operational funds and other basic supplies can struggle to provide the quality education that students need.
Kargbo’s message is therefore clear: teachers are ready to return, but readiness alone cannot fix an education system facing financial and material constraints.
As schools reopen, the effectiveness of teaching may ultimately depend on how quickly the authorities respond to the outstanding financial obligations and supply challenges facing schools across the country.
