The Teaching Service Commission has announced new licensing fees for teachers across Sierra Leone, as part of efforts to improve standards in the education sector.
The policy is backed by the Teaching Service Commission Act 2011 and the Education Act 2023, following consultations with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.
According to the Commission, the introduction of fees is aimed at strengthening professionalism and accountability among teachers in both public and private schools.
Under the new system, teachers will pay Le300 to sit the licensing examination and Le250 to obtain a new teaching licence. Additional fees apply for different professional levels, including Proficient, Highly Accomplished, and Distinguished categories.
The Commission also stated that teachers must score at least 50 percent in the licensing exam to qualify for recruitment into the public service and to access professional development opportunities.
Those who do not pass the exam will be required to pay again before retaking it. To support teachers, an online platform with learning materials and mock exams has been introduced in collaboration with UNESCO.
Officials noted that previous licensing exams conducted between 2024 and 2025 were free under the government’s education support programme. However, the new fees have been introduced to ensure the long-term sustainability of the licensing system.
The Commission described the move as an important step towards building a more qualified and professional teaching workforce in the country.
