By: Ivan Leigh
The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has completed a nationwide teacher registration exercise aimed at streamlining the teaching workforce and preparing for the upcoming teacher licensing process.
Speaking to the press, Program Manager Madam Jammie Victory Sankoh outlined the significance of the initiative, which concluded last week. She said the registration would provide the Commission with accurate data on qualified and unqualified teachers, identify those on the government payroll, and differentiate between teachers working in public and private institutions.
“This is a critical step toward licensing teachers and professionalizing the education sector,” Madam Sankoh stated. “It ensures that only qualified individuals are permitted to teach in our classrooms.”
According to the TSC, 5,000 teachers have already been licensed. An additional 10,000 are scheduled to take the licensing examination on May 5, 2025. The Commission is also preparing for potential attrition, acknowledging that some unqualified teachers may exit the profession due to the new standards. However, Madam Sankoh emphasized that the licensing process is reserved for qualified educators only.
She encouraged unqualified teachers to further their education, at least to the level of a Teachers Certificate (TC), noting that the registration process itself was designed to motivate teachers to improve their qualifications.
In her remarks, Madam Sankoh reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to teacher welfare. She disclosed that the minimum salary for holders of a Teachers Certificate is approximately Le 1,400, while those with a Higher Teachers Certificate (HTC) earn above Le 4,000.
The teacher licensing initiative is part of broader efforts by the TSC to enhance education standards and ensure quality teaching across Sierra Leone.
