The continued delay in the payment of school fee subsidies in Sierra Leone has been described as a serious national concern, with growing fears over its impact on schools and the country’s education system.
Moyamba District Member of Parliament, Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray, raised the issue during a discussion on Epic Radio, where he criticized the government’s failure to release the funds on time. He said the delays are affecting the smooth running of schools and putting pressure on school administrators across the country.
According to reports, many schools are struggling to operate effectively because subsidies meant to support teaching, learning materials and school management have not been paid for several terms. Teachers’ unions and education stakeholders have repeatedly warned that the situation could negatively affect the government’s Free Quality School Education programme.
The Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) has also raised concerns in recent months, calling on the government to settle outstanding subsidy payments. The union warned that delays continue to create financial difficulties for schools and may disrupt learning activities nationwide.
Education advocates say timely payment of subsidies is important for schools to function properly, especially government-assisted institutions that rely heavily on the funds for operations. Some reports have shown that delays in subsidy payments have remained a long-standing challenge within the education sector.
Stakeholders are now calling on the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education to urgently address the issue and ensure schools receive the support needed to maintain quality education across the country
