By Fatou Sillah
The Vice President of The Gambia, Muhammed B.S. Jallow, has revealed that certain teachers in the country may earn more than members of the National Assembly, amid ongoing discussions on public sector remuneration.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address, Vice President Jallow addressed concerns about incentives and allowances for public officials, particularly in the education and health sectors. He noted that these additional benefits significantly contribute to teachers’ overall earnings.
“I know some members feel that the teachers are not having much, but I can assure you that some teachers may actually earn more than some of your National Assembly members at the end of the day,” he stated.
He further emphasized that, despite perceptions of modest earnings, many teachers receive substantial take-home pay. “We are all teachers; sometimes we can behave like we are poor, but what we take home is more than what you take home. If you ask them, they will not tell you, but we know each other,” he added.
Vice President Jallow highlighted that allowances, including hardship incentives for those serving in rural areas, play a critical role in increasing teachers’ salaries. “We are having discussions with the Minister of Health to explore how lessons from the education sector can inform additional allowances for doctors, encouraging them to serve in other areas,” he explained.
He also noted that while the government is expanding specialist training programs, challenges remain in deploying skilled personnel to where they are most needed.
Comments are closed.