MP Slams Delayed School Subsidies
By: Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray
The continuous delay in the payment of school fee subsidies is a national embarrassment and a serious threat to the smooth operation of schools across Sierra Leone, according to Moyamba District lawmaker Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray.
Speaking during the weekly review programme on Epic Radio, Hon. Mansaray said it was unfortunate that the Sierra Leone Teachers Union is compelled to negotiate with the Office of the Vice President almost every academic year over delayed subsidies, despite government being fully aware that schools cannot function effectively without timely financial support.
Hon. Mansaray stressed that the burden of running schools has increasingly shifted onto struggling parents, while government subsidies have remained stagnant since the introduction of the Free Quality School Education programme in 2018.
He noted that primary schools still receive only Le10 per child, the same amount paid eight years ago, despite the sharp rise in the cost of living, inflation, and the increasing prices of educational materials and basic commodities. Subsidies for junior and senior secondary schools have also remained largely unchanged over the years, even though operational costs continue to rise nationwide.
The MP criticized what he described as “political propaganda” surrounding the education sector, arguing that government officials often boast about paying fees for millions of pupils without acknowledging that the actual amount allocated per pupil has not significantly improved since 2018.
“Paying the same amount in 2026 that was paid in 2018 is not progress,” he stated. “Schools are expanding, enrolment is increasing, costs are rising, but the financial support remains almost static.”
Hon. Mansaray explained that school subsidies are critical for the day-to-day management of schools, including the payment of volunteer teachers, the purchase of teaching and learning materials, repair and maintenance of school facilities, administrative costs, and the organization of extracurricular activities such as athletics and sports meets.
He lamented that many schools were unable to organize inter-house sports competitions and other developmental activities because of severe financial constraints caused by delayed or inadequate subsidies. As a result, school authorities are often left with no alternative but to request additional financial contributions from parents, thereby defeating the purpose of free education.
The parliamentarian called on government to demonstrate sincerity and commitment by ensuring that subsidies are paid on time and reflect the actual enrolment and operational realities of schools across the country.
“Education cannot succeed on speeches alone,” he concluded. “If government truly values free quality education, then schools must receive adequate and timely subsidies to function effectively.”