The Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU) has renewed its call for better salaries, meaningful allowances and improved remuneration for teachers, saying appreciation alone cannot address the financial realities confronting educators.

Speaking at the joint MoBSE-GTU celebration of World Teachers’ Day 2026 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, GTU President Ismaila S. Ceesay said the government must translate its recognition of teachers into concrete improvements in their welfare.

“If our influence reaches eternity, surely our salaries can at least reach the end of the month,” Ceesay said, quoting historian Henry Adams while highlighting the importance of teachers to national development.

Ismaila Ceesay acknowledged the increase in the 2026 MoBSE allocation to D5.9 billion, but called for increased investment in education and better remuneration for teachers.

Ismaila singled out the current D250 monthly retention allowance, describing it as inadequate to retain teachers in the profession.

“Ten dollars cannot buy half a bag of rice. It cannot fill a tank of fuel. In some homes, it will not even sponsor one week of attaya,” he said.

According to Ismaila Ceesay, the retention allowance is failing to address the financial pressures facing teachers and contributing to the loss of experienced educators to private schools, NGOs, other sectors and other countries.

“We are losing good teachers to private schools, to NGOs, to other sectors, and to other countries,” he said, stressing that retaining teachers is cheaper than replacing them after years of investment in their training.

The GTU President also called for the immediate payment of the special skills and retention allowances agreed between the Union and the Ministry of the Public Service following the teachers’ sit-down strike.

“An agreement signed is a promise made. We respectfully demand that both allowances be paid, as agreed, without further delay, and that the retention allowance be reviewed to a meaningful percentage of basic salary.”

Ismaila Ceesay further called for the revival and full implementation of the new pay and grading structure, arguing that teachers and other civil servants need a comprehensive salary reform rather than periodic increments.

“Civil servants are not asking for another salary increment. We are asking for the revival and full implementation of the new pay and grading structure,” he said.

He argued that a properly structured remuneration system would improve fairness, strengthen pensions, attract and retain skilled professionals and provide meaningful salary progression based on qualifications, experience and responsibility.

Ismaila Ceesay also used the occasion to emphasise that teachers’ resilience should not be mistaken for adequate compensation.

“They are resilient, but resilience is not a salary. You cannot pay rent with resilience,” he said.

Under this year’s theme, “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures,” the GTU says standing with teachers must go beyond appreciation and translate into better pay, meaningful allowances, improved working conditions and greater professional recognition.

By Ebrima KB Sonko