The Minister of Education Jarso M. Jallah has informed the Liberian Senate that the ministry will need approximately US$ 8.4 million to include 6,192 volunteer teachers on the national payroll.
Minister Jallah made the disclosure on Thursday, November 14, 2024 when she appeared before the Committee of the Whole of the Senate to give updates on employment of volunteer teachers and fees paid to private schools.
Minister Jallah said the ministry conducted a profiling exercise of volunteer teachers across the country which revealed that there are 6,192 volunteers teachers across the educational system which constitute 80 percent male and 19.2 percent females
She said about 3,213 volunteer teachers in the educational system hold a C Certificate or only high school credentials, and the lowest numbers in terms of credentials of volunteer teachers is at the masters’ level with 31 individuals, while volunteers with associate degrees are 1,521.
According to her, more teachers are needed in senior secondary education but most of the credentials in the data system of the ministry are for primary schools, adding that some C Certificate teachers are teaching up to ninth grade which should not be the case.
Commenting on the purchasing and distribution of school supplies, Minister Jallah said each school across the country was given US$ 65, 000 in the approved 2024 budget.
She said all schools across the counties have received US$32.831 which represents 50 percent of the allocated funds and also received educational materials except for Sinoe County which was allocated US$ 65,000 but only received US$21, 087.
Minister Jallah said all educational materials have been distributed to schools and procurement processes of the remaining schools are in progress.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education informed the senators that Montserrado, Nimba, Lofa and Bong Counties have the highest number volunteer teachers across the country.
By Tonita N. Copson
