By Sallieu S. Kanu
Makeni, Sierra Leone – October 4, 2025: Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has paid glowing tribute to teachers across the country, describing them as the architects of national progress and the foundation of every citizen’s success story.
Speaking at the 2025 Presidential National Best Teacher Awards held at the University of Makeni, Dr. Jalloh emphasized the transformative power of educators in shaping the country’s future. “Doctors, engineers, farmers, security personnel, business people, and leaders — we were all shaped by teachers,” he declared. “They are not just instructors of knowledge, they are nation builders.”
The Vice President invited all educators present to stand and receive a round of applause, calling it a symbolic gesture of appreciation for their immense contribution to state-building.
He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to education, highlighting President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship initiatives under the Free Quality Education program. “We have expanded access, trained and equipped teachers, provided learning materials, and improved school infrastructure,” he said. “But learning can only take place when you have teachers.”
Dr. Jalloh noted that the Presidential National Best Teacher Award was instituted to honor the dedication and impact of educators nationwide. He also underscored the historical commitment of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) to education, dating back to its founding in 1951.
“Our commitment to education is not only unmatched, it is unshakable,” he said. “We are prepared to spend our last cent to ensure that every child, rich or poor, has the opportunity to go to school and secure a decent future.”
He concluded with a rousing tribute: “Long live our teachers, long live Sierra Leone, and long live our commitment to education. When you say education, you say SLPP.”