The Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law – Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) expresses grave concern over the ongoing industrial dispute between the Government and the Union of Academic Staff Associations (UASA), which has disrupted academic activities in public tertiary institutions and created uncertainty for university students.
CARL-SL recognises the importance of fair remuneration, decent working conditions and professional dignity for lecturers. However, the continuing dispute raises serious concerns about the educational, social and economic consequences for students and the future of higher education in Sierra Leone.
Students are bearing the consequences of a dispute they did not create. Interruptions to lectures can leave students behind on course content, disrupt preparation for examinations, delay research and practical work, and create uncertainty around graduation dates. Students approaching the end of their programmes may face delayed entry into employment, postgraduate studies or other professional trainings.
The disruption also places additional pressure on parents who have invested huge resources in tuition, accommodation, transportation and other educational expenses. Where academic calendars are extended or revised, some students may incur additional costs and face difficulties adjusting their personal, family and work commitments. Prolonged uncertainty can also affect students’ motivation, emotional well-being and confidence in the reliability of the university system.
The consequences extend beyond individual students. Repeated interruptions to teaching and learning can place pressure on universities to compress academic programmes, reschedule examinations and reorganise teaching periods. If lost instructional time is not properly recovered, students may struggle to master essential knowledge and skills. Disruptions to research, supervision and practical training may also affect academic output and the quality of graduates entering the workforce.
Over time, persistent instability in public tertiary education risks weakening public confidence in universities and undermining Sierra Leone’s efforts to develop the skilled workforce needed in education, health, law, science, technology and other critical sectors. The protection of academic staff welfare and the continuity of students’ education must therefore be treated as interconnected priorities.
In its statement of 9th October, 2026, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education maintained that negotiations were ongoing when the strike began, and questioned the legal basis of the industrial action. In its response of 10th October, 2026 UASA argued that negotiations had not produced a concrete salary offer, and called for substantive engagement. CARL-SL urges both parties to move beyond public exchanges and commit to meaningful negotiations aimed at achieving a timely and sustainable resolution.
CARL-SL respectfully calls on His Excellency the President to provide urgent leadership, facilitate constructive negotiations and ensure that clear proposals and timelines are agreed upon. UASA and the relevant academic staff associations must also remain committed to good-faith engagement and a resolution that recognises lecturers’ legitimate concerns while protecting students’ interests.
CARL-SL further urges university administrations to communicate clearly with students about the status of academic activities and examination schedules, and to develop practical plans to recover lost teaching time. Such plans should protect academic standards and minimise avoidable academic or financial penalties for students affected by the disruption.
CARL-SL calls on all parties to place the national interest above prolonged confrontation. Lecturers’ welfare matters, students’ education matters, and Sierra Leone’s future depends on a stable and effective higher education system. The Government and UASA must act urgently to resolve the dispute, restore academic activities and prevent further harm to students and the country’s education sector.
The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) expresses its concern over the increasingly polarised public discourse surrounding the ongoing Supreme Court proceedings on the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2025. CARL-SL urges all stakeholders to rise above partisan considerations and approach this matter first and foremost as a question of constitutional integrity, the rule of law and the long-term interest of the people of Sierra Leone.
The Constitution is the supreme legal framework governing our nation. It establishes the principles, procedures and institutional safeguards through which public authority is exercised. Any question concerning its amendment must therefore be approached with the seriousness, impartiality and respect that its fundamental importance demands.
CARL-SL recognises that political parties, public officials, lawyers, civil society organisations and citizens may hold differing views on the proposed constitutional amendments and the circumstances surrounding its passage. However, these differences must not overshadow the fundamental question before the Court, which is whether the applicable constitutional requirements and procedures have been followed.
CARL-SL calls on all parties to place Sierra Leone and its Constitution above partisan interests.
We respectfully call on the Honourable Chief Justice and the other Justices of the Supreme Court to continue discharging their constitutional responsibilities independently, impartially and without fear or favour. The Court must be afforded the space and respect necessary to examine the issues before it and reach its determination in accordance with the applicable laws. Public confidence in the administration of justice depends on the independence of the judiciary and the public’s ability to trust that constitutional questions, when they arise, will ultimately be determined through lawful judicial processes.
CARL-SL further urges all counsel appearing before the Court to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct, restraint and respect for the rule of law and authority of the court. Vigorous legal argument is an essential part of Sierra Leonean’s adversarial system, however, it must remain focused on the law, the evidence and the constitutional questions at issue. Personal exchanges, partisan rhetoric and conduct that may distract from the substantive issues should give way to principled advocacy and professional responsibility.
We also call on political parties, political leaders and public officials to exercise restraint in their public statements. The constitutional questions before the Court should not be reduced to a contest between political parties or individuals. No political interest should take precedence over the constitutional order, and no individual or institution should be regarded as above the Constitution.
CARL-SL encourages the media, civil society organisations and members of the public to engage responsibly with the proceedings. Citizens have every right to follow the case, seek information, express views and hold public institutions accountable. That engagement, however, should be informed by verified information, respect for due process and an appreciation of the distinction between legal arguments presented by parties and decisions ultimately made by the Court. Public discussion should contribute to understanding, not deepen division or undermine confidence in constitutional institutions before the legal questions have been resolved.
This is a moment for constitutional reflection, not partisan escalation.
The Supreme Court has an important responsibility to interpret the constitutional questions placed before it. The parties have a responsibility to present their arguments through lawful and professional means. Political leaders have a responsibility to demonstrate restraint, and citizens have a responsibility to remain engaged, informed and committed to peaceful democratic participation.
CARL-SL reaffirms its commitment to accountability, democratic governance, and the rule of law. Whatever the outcome of the proceedings, Sierra Leone must emerge with renewed respect for constitutional governance, the rule of law and the institutions entrusted with safeguarding our democracy. Accordingly, CARL-SL urges the Supreme Court and all the parties appearing before it to work cooperatively so as to expeditiously resolve the questions before the Court.
The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) is concerned by reports and circulating accounts regarding an incident at Kroo Town Road – Kroo Bay, Freetown, involving some members of the public and the Sierra Leone Police.
In the absence of a completed and credible investigation, CARL-SL considers it premature to draw definitive conclusions or make findings of fact about the incident. We, however recognize the seriousness of the reports and the potential implications of the incident for public safety, human rights and community-police relations.
CARL-SL unequivocally condemns violence, riotous conduct, destruction of life and property, attacks against persons and obstruction of lawful public duties. It is our view that the exercise of constitutional rights and freedom does not extend to a conduct that places the life, safety or property of others at risk. Citizens have a responsibility to express grievances peacefully and to pursue disputes through lawful channels. Community grievances must not be resolved through violence or intimidation.
At the same time, we note that maintaining public order is a responsibility of government, and the exercise of that responsibility must remain firmly within the law. However, the existence of public disorder does not give law enforcement personnel an unlimited mandate to use force. Whenever force becomes necessary, it must be lawful, reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances and level of threat or resistance encountered. This principle is particularly important in situations involving public gatherings, disturbances and confrontations between civilians and law enforcement personnel. Policing a public disturbance requires officers to assess the nature of the threat and respond accordingly. The presence of individuals at or around a disturbance should not, in itself, make them legitimate targets of force. Where practicable, law enforcement responses should distinguish between persons actively threatening life, safety, or property and persons who are merely present at the scene.
The objective of policing should ultimately be to restore public order, protect life and property, de-escalate tensions and prevent further harm. Given the competing accounts surrounding the incident, CARL-SL calls for a prompt, independent and credible investigation which should, at a minimum, seek to establish the sequence of events, the circumstances that led to the confrontation, conduct of civilians and law enforcement personnel, nature of force used and to determine whether or not the said force is what led to the allege demise of two residents of the community.
Furthermore, the investigation should provide an opportunity for affected persons and witnesses to give accounts of what occurred and should be conducted in a manner that inspires public confidence. CARL-SL emphasizes that accountability cannot be selective, where members of the public are found to have engaged in violence, assault, destruction of property or other unlawful conduct, the law should be applied fairly and appropriately. Equally, where law enforcement personnel are found to have acted unlawfully, used excessive or disproportionate force, or otherwise violated the rights of members of the public, appropriate disciplinary, administrative or legal action should follow.
We therefore call on:
Members of the public to remain peaceful, refrain from violence and pursue grievances through lawful channels
The Sierra Leone Police to exercise maximum restraint and ensure that any force employed is strictly necessary, lawful and proportionate to the circumstances
Community and Political leaders to discourage inflammatory statements that could heighten tensions or encourage confrontations
The press and social media users to exercise responsibility in reporting on the incident and avoid circulating unverified information that could further inflame an already sensitive situation.
CARL-SL continues to call on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, reject violence and contribute to a peaceful resolution of the incident. We remain committed to the promotion of human rights, rule of law, accountable policing and peaceful democratic participation.
The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) welcomes the Government of Sierra Leone’s reported procurement of $2.5 million worth of essential drugs and sexual and reproductive health commodities for distribution to health facilities nationwide. “This investment demonstrates Government’s continued commitment to protecting critical health services for women, children and families across Sierra Leone,” says the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin H. Demby. CARL-SL recognises this investment as an important step towards strengthening maternal and child healthcare, and protecting the lives and dignity of women, girls, newborns and children. At a time when Sierra Leone is intensifying efforts under the 300 Days of Activism for Triple Zero, ensuring the availability of life-saving drugs and reproductive health commodities is critical. However, procurement is only the beginning. The real measure of success is whether these commodities reach the people who need them. CARL-SL therefore calls on the Ministry of Health, and National Medical Supplies Agency to ensure that the entire supply chain—from procurement, storage, transportation, distribution and utilisation is transparent, traceable and accountable. Specifically, CARL-SL urges the Ministry of Health to: Publish a distribution plan showing the health facilities and districts receiving the commodities, quantities allocated and expected delivery dates. Strengthen independent monitoring so that civil society actors, communities and other stakeholders can verify that commodities reported as delivered are actually available at health facilities. Establish accessible complaints and feedback mechanisms through which patients, health workers and communities can report stock-outs, diversion, unofficial charges, expired medicines or other irregularities. Ensure equitable distribution, particularly to rural, hard-to-reach and underserved communities where shortages can have devastating consequences. CARL-SL welcomes the Government’s stated intention to track these commodities from NMSA stores to health facilities and calls for this mechanism to be sufficiently transparent to enable meaningful public oversight. Public resources must deliver public results. No woman should lose her life because a life-saving drug was procured but failed to reach the facility where she needed it. No health worker should be expected to manage a medical emergency without the essential supplies required to save life. CARL-SL therefore calls on the Government to make this investment a model of transparent, equitable and accountable public health spending, with regular public reporting on distribution, availability, stock-outs and corrective actions. The public have a right to know how public resources are spent. Patients have a right to receive the healthcare and drugs they need. And Government has a responsibility to ensuring that every dollar invested in saving lives delivers the intended public benefit. CARL-SL will continue to monitor developments and encourages citizens, health workers and civil society actors to remain vigilant and use appropriate accountability mechanisms to report credible concerns regarding the availability, distribution or misuse of essential health commodities.
CARL-SL urges the Government of Sierra Leone to pay backlog School Fee Subsidies, ahead of School Reopening, for this academic year.
Freetown, Sierra Leone
04/09/2026
The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law – Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) is deeply concerned by reports that school fee subsidies for third term, last academic year, have not been paid to schools, ahead of the reopening of schools, for this academic year.
The Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) has publicly raised concerns that while schools are expected to reopen, the delay in payment of subsidies, coupled with shortages of essential teaching and learning materials may significantly affect effective teaching and learning.
CARL-SL recognizes and welcomes the Government of Sierra Leone’s investment in the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) programme, which has expanded access to education for thousands of children across the country. His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has repeatedly reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing free, inclusive, equitable and quality education as a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s human capital development agenda.
However, access to education must be accompanied by the resources necessary to make quality education a reality. Therefore, delay in payment of school fee subsidies can render schools unable to meet essential operational needs and provide teachers with the materials and support required for effective service delivery.
CARL-SL is particularly concerned about the potential consequences for pupils learning outcomes and instructional time. If schools reopen without adequate resources, teachers may be physically present but unable to teach effectively. This could further widen existing learning gaps and disproportionately affect pupils from less privileged and vulnerable households who rely mainly on public schools.
CARL-SL therefore, calls on the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and all relevant authorities to:
Urgently disburse all outstanding backlog school fee subsidies to eligible schools.
Ensure that schools have the essential teaching and learning materials needed for effective service delivery.
Provide clear and timely information to schools, teachers, parents and the public on the status of the subsidies and steps being taken to resolve the delay.
Put in place a predictable and timely subsidy disbursement mechanism to prevent similar delay in the future.
CARL-SL reminds the Government that, Free Quality Education must mean more than simply getting pupils into classrooms, it must also ensure that they receive meaningful teaching in adequately resourced schools.
The Government’s commitment to FQSE is a commitment to Sierra Leone’s children and their future. Every school day lost to avoidable administrative or funding delays, represents a loss to a child’s education and to the country’s human capital development.
The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law – Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) has taken note of a social media post by the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr Conrad Sackey, regarding allegations that Agape Primary School, Freetown demanded and collected money from parents for the release of their children’s National Primary School Examination (NPSE) results. According to the minister, the school authorities were summoned to respond to the allegations, and money collected for this purpose must be refunded, and parents should not pay to collect NPSE results. CARL-SL strongly agrees with the Minister’s statement: “Every Leone matter to a struggling family. Every child deserves a fair chance.” We remain strongly and consistently committed to protecting the integrity of education in Sierra Leone, as it is fundamental to Sierra Leone’s future, particularly for children in under privileged and deprived communities. Unauthorised financial demands can place additional burdens on families already struggling to meet basic needs, and may ultimately affect children’s ability to progress in school. We therefore commend the Ministry for its prompt intervention and reminds all stakeholders that, because Agape is a private school does not place it outside government regulation. The Ministry is responsible for the control and supervision of basic and senior secondary education, including government, government-assisted, and private schools, under the applicable legal and policy framework. We therefore call for these responsibilities to be exercised consistently across all categories of schools. Going forward, now that interviews for admission to JSS One are underway, we urge the Ministry to timely communicate a reasonable fee and payment requirements for government and government-assisted schools across the country. CARL-SL makes it clear that an unauthorised demand of money by any government or government assisted school is a recipe for corruption, and must not be compromised by anyone. Where the facts show an act of corruption, abuse of authority, fraud or other unlawful conduct, the appropriate authorities must investigate and act in accordance with the law. Such matters must be handled based on evidence and due process, not sentiments. We further encourage Parents to familiarise themselves with officially approved charges and report any school that demands unauthorised payments outside the established framework, retaining evidence where possible. CARL-SL wish to conduct a strong and continuous monitoring of upcoming admission processes, to ensuring that school authorities strictly comply with the Ministry’s approved financial demands. Furthermore, we call on the Anti-Corruption Commission, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Teaching Service Commission, Conference of Principals, Sierra Leone Teachers Union, Civil Society Organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, including the media to monitor the process and prevent payment of unauthorised charges by parents. CARL-SL remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability and the rule of law in education, by ensuring that no child is disadvantaged because of his or her financial status -END-
