By Kadiatu Sankoh
On Thursday, 12th February 2026, Alhaji Gassama, son of the Paramount Chief Haja Mariama Gassama Kanja IV, handed over Le 25,200 to the Principal of Seawright SS School to avert walkout by teachers triggered by non- payment of salaries since November 2025 as a result of the unauthorised withdrawal of funds by the former principal Mr Jobbo.
The donation was formally handed over to the school’s Principal, Pa Alimamy Kalokoh, to support the institution’s ongoing development and operational needs.
Speaking at the presentation, Mr. Rahman Barrie, Coordinator and Facilitator of the school, explained that the institution had nearly collapsed in 2025 due to numerous challenges. In September 2025, however he stepped in to revamp and restructure the school, upgrading it from a junior secondary institution to a senior secondary.
Mr. Barrie disclosed that he recruited qualified teachers from neighbouring districts, including Magburaka and Bombali, and was able to sustain a staff body of 13 teachers despite serious financial constraints. He noted that the school continues to face challenges, exacerbated by the actions of the former Principal which on the face appeared to sabotage the communities’ efforts to provide education for their children. Though the support from the Paramount Chief’s family has helped greatly the school faces ongoing challenges in providing stationery and meeting other essential operational costs.
Mr Barrie expressed profound gratitude to Paramount Chief and her family for their intervention, describing the donation as a major boost to the school’s survival and growth.
The school authorities also used the occasion to appeal to the Government of Sierra Leone to assist them with official approval and additional support to strengthen the institution’s operations. They emphasized that government recognition would greatly enhance the school’s capacity to serve the children of Tungie Town and surrounding communities.