By Amin Kef-Ranger

Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Honourable Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the country’s educational transformation by awarding four fully-funded international scholarships to members of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU). The scholarships, presented during an official ceremony on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, symbolize a concrete investment in the professional development of teachers and reaffirm the Government’s determination to strengthen human capital as the backbone of national development.

The event, held in Freetown, brought together key stakeholders, including Deputy Minister 2 of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), Madam Mamusu Massaquoi, representatives of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and officials of SLTU. The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, was absent as he joined His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, but he later issued a statement endorsing the initiative.

In his address, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh delivered a speech that resonated deeply with the audience. He described the scholarships as more than just an academic opportunity, framing them as a symbol of respect for the teaching profession and its role in shaping Sierra Leone’s future.

He noted that teachers must be regarded as “intellectuals”; not merely for the lessons they deliver in classrooms but for their critical role in cultivating the nation’s values, discipline and knowledge base.

“Our vision of development must be anchored not in the accumulation of wealth but in the intellectual contributions of our people,” Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh declared. “Teachers are the bedrock of this vision and by investing in their growth we invest directly in the future of Sierra Leone.”

That message echoed his longstanding belief that the nation’s transformation hinges on creating a society where respect is earned through service, education and intellectual contribution.

The four scholarships, fully funded by the Government of Sierra Leone, will enable selected SLTU-nominated teachers to undergo advanced training in the People’s Republic of China. The program will focus on school management, record-keeping and administration; critical areas that enhance the leadership capacity of teachers and empower them to manage schools more effectively.

By sending teachers to China, Sierra Leone is tapping into global partnerships to broaden the skills of its educators, thereby strengthening the foundation of the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) policy. Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh emphasized that this program is aligned with the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Government’s core values of capacity building, national development and people-centered leadership.

“These scholarships will allow teachers to return home with advanced expertise, equipping them to lead their schools with efficiency and vision,” Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh noted. “This is how we build a culture of excellence in education.”

From New York, where he was attending the UN General Assembly, Minister Conrad Sackey issued a strong message of support. He described the scholarships as the result of close collaboration between the Vice President, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and SLTU.

“I am pleased to note that four fully-funded international scholarships have been awarded to members of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh,” Conrad Sackey said. “This outcome followed earlier discussions we held with the Vice President and the leadership of SLTU on the importance of investing in the professional growth of our teachers.”

The Minister praised the Vice President for taking the lead in ensuring the scholarships were presented in his absence and highlighted the initiative as a direct investment in the nation’s intellectual capital. “The Vice President’s message captured the very essence of our belief that teachers are the intellectual backbone of our nation,” Conrad Sackey added.

The scholarships come at a time when Sierra Leone’s Government, under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, continues to champion the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) programme. Since its launch, the initiative has significantly increased school enrollment, reduced barriers for children from poor households and improved the overall quality of teaching and learning.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has been a vocal advocate for sustaining this flagship policy, ensuring that the Government does not only expand access but also invests in teachers’ professional development. This scholarship scheme is therefore seen as an extension of the Government’s broader strategy to raise standards in education by empowering educators themselves.

Stakeholders at the ceremony, including Deputy Minister Mamusu Massaquoi, the TSC and SLTU officials, commended the Vice President’s leadership. They stressed that by personally awarding the scholarships, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh reaffirmed the administration’s sincerity in prioritizing education as the cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s future.

For the beneficiaries, the program represents a life-changing opportunity to gain international exposure, improve their leadership skills and return to Sierra Leone with fresh perspectives to improve school management.

The presentation of scholarships by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh is more than a routine ceremony; it is a clear demonstration of his vision for a knowledge-driven Sierra Leone. By championing teachers as the nation’s intellectual leaders and providing them with the tools to thrive, he has positioned education at the center of Sierra Leone’s development agenda.

Continuing its journey under the Free Quality School Education policy, Sierra Leone is sending a powerful message: the nation’s future will be defined not by wealth alone, but by the dedication, intellect and leadership of its teachers. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/vice-president-presents-scholarships-to-teachers-union-a-defining-commitment-to-education/