By: E. Geedahgar Garsuah, Sr.
MONROVIA: The Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), Isaac Saye-Lakpoh Zawolo, has disclosed that based on additionally budgetary allotment through the directive of President George Manneh Weah, all schools under the supervision of MCSS will be freed of tuition cost.
According to Superintendent Zawolo, the move is in keeping with the Government of Liberia (GoL) responsibility to provide education for all of its citizens as a fundamental human rights in adherence to international protocols.
Zawolo: “The responsibility to provide education for our citizens remained a prerogative of our government. We want to make education available, accessible and affordable, thus allow me to announce that with full funding from the Ministry of Finance Development Planning (MFDP) through the directive of President George M. Weah, MCSS run schools will be totally free of charge for the first time in history.”
Prior to the announcement of MCSS tuition free policy which is expected to come into effect beginning academic 2022/2023 school year, tuition fees were in the range of L$6,700,00, L$4,700.00, L$4,100.00 and L$9, 500 for Secondary, Upper Basis, Lower Basis and Early Childhood Development (ECD) respectively.
Mr. Zawolo disclosed that the move is also aimed at enhancing academic quality. He indicated that the MCSS has put into place several measures and introduced numerous initiatives ranging from the appointment of contents specialists to provide guidance and supervision over MCSS’s instructors.
He mentioned that the introduction of a mandatory Saturday class for students failing in two or more subjects, a compulsory free Early Childhood Development (ECD) for all Elementary schools made it to the list of strategy intended to boost Academic Excellence.
The starter of new reading initiative for the Elementary division, the conduct of contents institute prior to the opening of academic school year, as well as the accelerated learning program at all MCSS elementary schools geared towards tackling the issue of over-aged students also took their positions on the list to improve quality learning at the MCSS.
Superintendent Zawolo has announced that as promised when he officially took office on December 17, 2021, the MCSS is far ahead of schedule on the plan and implementation of its five-point strategic initiatives geared towards advancing the school system.
Speaking to scores of media outlets during the weekend at MCSS Central Office situated on 12th Street, Sinkor, Zawolo pointed out that all is set to ensure the smooth implementation of the MCSS five pillars strategic inventiveness beginning from this academic year 2022/2023.
The MCSS Superintendent named the five pillars strategic initiatives as Teacher’s Welfare, Safe, Secured, Supportive and Enticing Learning Environment, School Corporate Community Partnership, Organization Efficiency and Academic Excellence.
“Today, as we prepare to commence academic year 2022/2023, I am pleased to report that we are far ahead of schedule on the plan and implementation of our initiatives,” the MCCS boss intoned.
He added said that the MCSS has put into place numerous measures and introduced several initiatives aimed at enhancing the academic output of MCSS supervised schools.
Zawolo also announced that in a bid to address the situation of sitting capacity at the D. Tweh Memorial High School situated in New Kru Town, Bushrod Island, another high school has been added to the list of MCSS schools.
“We have opened an additional high school to ease the over-crowdedness at the D. Tweh Memorial High School, and put in placed several new initiatives to enhance academic excellence,” the MCC boss stated.
Zawolo also disclosed that several MCSS structures are either currently undergoing massive renovation or have seen massive renovation.
Speaking on the professional conduct of MCSS’s teachers, Zawolo pointed that there is zero tolerance policy on the violation of any provision of the Code of Conduct for teachers.
He mentioned an unfortunate situation wherein a teacher was dismissed for engaging in an intimate relationship with female student that resulted into pregnancy.
According to the MCSS boss, while his administration will endeavor and work assiduously hard to ensure teacher’s welfare is placed at the front burner, the MCSS, under his supervision, will not condone any acts that run contrary to the noble profession.
MCSS was created by a legislative enactment on December 24, 1964 (William V.S. Tubman era) to ensure proper and effective conduct of schools in Monrovia and its environs in consonance with policies and regulations of the Ministry of Education.
Prior to the creation of the (MCSS), schools in Monrovia were individually administered by principals reporting directly to the Ministry of Education. The Memorandum of Understanding & the preliminary step to the establishment of the System was signed on 28, February 1963.
The Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) provides primary & secondary education to the population of Monrovia metropolitan area, Liberia.
The mission of MCSS is to ensure students achievement through quality instruction, effective school leadership, efficient school management, parent’s involvement, student’s motivation & community support.
The MCSS has twenty-four schools under its supervision.
Isaac Saye-Lakpoh Zawolo is the seventeenth Superintendent of the MCSS. He was appointed to the position of Superintendent on November 23, 2021, by President Weah.
Zawolo is an educator, an emancipator, a humanitarian, an engineer, a mathematician, an administrator, and a reformist. He brings to the MCSS over thirty-five years of experience as a teacher and administrator.
He was educated at several primary and secondary schools in Liberia before earning a bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Liberia in 1987. He also holds both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering. Additionally, Superintendent Zawolo has completed all coursework for a master of secondary education in mathematics.
