The Government of Liberia (GoL) through the Ministry of Education says it has transitioned 200 volunteer teachers to the payroll. Speaking Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing, Education Minister Dr. Jarso Marley Jallah said after conducting their county tour, the initial profile of volunteer teachers showed 6,190 but realized that 1,520 did not have any teaching credentials.
Dr. Jallah said they were not qualified, with no credentials, either an A, B, or C certificate or a post-secondary degree. However, Dr. Jallah disclosed that after a comprehensive internal audit, they realized 3,557 volunteer teachers’ credentials in active service.
She indicated that this is a key intervention captured in program 41 of the AAID Governance of the Educational system; this speaks to this administration’s view that volunteer teachers and their services are needed and valued.
‘‘Our team will soon be in the field conducting the processes. The processes are registration, interview, and submission of credentials, completion of personal action forms, and the signing of a training contract. By 30 April 2025, the process will be completed. The CSA will then have them on payroll and they will begin to have their compensation,’’ she said.
“When we took over, we had over 9,000 of our hardworking teachers and non-teaching staff underpaid,” she noted. But all those on the payroll who MOE’s Office of Human Resources had a record of their credentials and qualifications have received salary top-ups.
She said while taking office, nearly 70% of the teaching workforce was underpaid, meaning they would not be compensated based on the civil service salary structure.
‘‘This restructuring reflects the ministry’s commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of teachers and elevating education standards across the country.’’ She expressed gratitude to her team, especially those in the Department of Administration, who worked tirelessly with the Civil Service Agency and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
“This is an all-government approach to ensuring that it caters to teachers and educators. When we say we value teachers, we mean it; it’s not just in words, but it is about action,’’ the Education Minister added.
By Lucky M. McGee
