By: Problyn J. Alpha
On October 5, 2025, Sierra Leone joined the global community in celebrating World Teachers’ Day, marking the occasion with the theme: “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession.” The essence of this day is to recognize and celebrate the pivotal role of teachers while fostering a more collaborative and supportive environment in education.
This year’s theme emphasized the transformative power of teamwork, cooperation, and mutual support in improving both learning outcomes and the well-being of teachers. In Kono District, the celebration was held at Ansarul Islamic Girls’ Secondary School in Tankoro Chiefdom, where hundreds of teachers and key stakeholders gathered to acknowledge and recognize the significant contribution of teachers in shaping the nation and preparing its future leaders.
Speaking on what some teachers and stakeholders described as a “life-changing mechanism,” Dr. Aminata Sesay, CEO of Dambayia Foundation Sierra Leone, reflected on her own experience as a teacher during a time when the education sector was facing significant challenges. She highlighted that teachers’ success does not solely depend on the government, but rather on their deliberate actions and commitment to personal development.
Dr. Sesay urged teachers to empower themselves with the appropriate tools, especially knowledge, as this would help them to succeed both during their careers and after retirement. She emphasized that teachers, though powerful, often fail to realize the full potential of their profession because they do not invest in their own development. She encouraged educators to seize every opportunity for empowerment and be proactive in advancing their skills.
In his keynote address, Sahr Augustine Sheku, Chairman of the Kono District Council, first congratulated the teachers for successfully coordinating the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration. He noted that such activities provide teachers with an opportunity for self-reflection, quoting, “Life without self-examination is not worth living.” He advised teachers to recognize themselves as integral components of society due to the critical role they play in building the nation’s human resource. Chairman Sheku further stressed that the success of President Julius Maada Bio’s Human Capital Development Project heavily relies on teachers.
Looking ahead, Chairman Sheku announced that the Kono District Council would host the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Yengema. He also highlighted an exciting development: the construction of a digital learning hub in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications. This hub will provide a platform for both students and teachers to acquire digital skills and conduct research.
Although the celebration in Kono District was marked by a relatively low turnout, some teachers expressed disappointment over the small number of participants. Nonetheless, they expressed gratitude to the executives of the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union (SLTU) for coordinating the event, even on a smaller scale.