The Government of Sierra Leone has renewed its commitment to strengthening the teaching profession and sustaining investments in education, as Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh represented President Julius Maada Bio at the sixth Presidential National Best Teacher Awards in Kenema.
The ceremony, held at Kenema City Hall on Monday, October 5, 2026, brought together teachers, government officials, traditional and religious leaders, school pupils, development partners and other stakeholders to recognise educators whose dedication and performance continue to contribute to the country’s educational development.
Representing President Bio, Chief Minister Sengeh congratulated the award recipients and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving the quality of education through sustained investment in teachers and the wider education sector.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the launch of the Teacher License Card, alongside the presentation of more than Le100 million in awards to outstanding teachers in recognition of their professionalism, dedication and contribution to national development.
Dr. Sengeh pointed to several interventions undertaken by the Government under its Human Capital Development agenda, including the recruitment of more than 12,000 teachers and the training of over 30,000 educators. He also highlighted a 75 percent increase in teachers’ salaries as part of efforts to improve the welfare and professional standing of teachers.
According to the Chief Minister, these interventions form part of the Government’s broader commitment under the Medium-Term National Development Plan and the Big Five Game Changers, with education remaining a central pillar of Sierra Leone’s human capital development strategy.
He further reaffirmed that the Government intends to sustain the Free Quality School Education programme beyond 2028, stressing that continued investment in teachers is critical to improving learning outcomes and preparing young Sierra Leoneans with the knowledge and skills required to drive national transformation.
The sixth Presidential National Best Teacher Awards was held under the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Futures.”
The theme underscored the important role teachers have played over the years in shaping generations, strengthening communities and supporting Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development.
The recognition of outstanding teachers, government officials noted, is intended not only to celebrate individual achievement but also to motivate educators across the country to maintain high professional standards and remain committed to improving the learning experiences of pupils.
The ceremony therefore served as both a celebration of excellence in teaching and a renewed statement of Government’s determination to place teachers and quality education at the centre of Sierra Leone’s development agenda.