By: Our Contributing Writer
MONROVIA: The Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), Isaac Sayee Zawolo, has disclosed that public schools in Liberia, especially those under the control of the Monrovia Consolidated School System, (MCSS), are not up to standard as compare to how they used to be prior to the Liberian civil war.
The Liberian civil war began in December 1989 and ended in August 2003. Speaking in an exclusive interview with this paper, Superintendent Zawolo indicated that restoration of Liberia’s public schools to pre-war status requires a whopping US$2million every two years.
According to Mr. Zawolo, as part of government’s efforts to provide the basic necessities for Liberia’s growing population, there are places or areas that need to be prioritized development-wise, and quality education for citizens is no exception.
Mr. Zawolo, however, stressed that the Government of Liberia (GOL), is doing everything possible to meet the basic needs of its citizens and that it remains committed to achieving such goals, especially in restoring the country’s education system to its pre-war status.
Superintendent Zawolo’s assertions were triggered by the recent action of some MCSS students who demanded the payment of salaries for public school teachers by central government.
The students made the demand for the payment of public schools teachers during a recent protest they held in front of the Ministry of Education in Congo Town, outside Monrovia.
Recently, hundreds of students attending government schools, allegedly led by the William V.S. Tubman High School in Sinkor, held a peaceful protest in front of the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Congo town, over what the students described as delay in the payment of public school teachers by the Liberian government.
Fully armed with various placards with multiple inscriptions such as “Our teachers must get the best pay if we are to acquire better education in the classroom”; “National Government must add 50% increment to the salaries of our teachers while they are building our future,” among others, the public school students disclosed that they have made several unsuccessful attempts, on behalf of MCSS teachers to meet with Superintendent Zawolo and other MCSS officials aimed at discussing the legitimate plights of their teachers.
The students referenced a formal communication which they wrote and subsequently forwarded to the MCCC Administration, through the Office of Superintendent Isaac Sayee Zawolo.
The students, in said communication, requested Mr. Zawolo to provide them the necessary information surrounding the payment of salaries of public school teachers and other problems that they (students), are faced with in various MCSS Schools.
According to the students, in an effort to follow-up relative to their communication to the MCSS Administration, Superintendent Zawolo denied them entry to the MCSS head-offices via MCSS Security personnel.
Speaking to this paper in front of the edifice of MoE, the students outlined some basic concerns including the urgent need to improve facilities of MCSS and other public schools, increment in teachers’ salaries.
The students alleged that with the low salaries of their teachers, they (students) are being exploited by some teachers by taking money from them for grades and other appeasements.
Further speaking, Superintendent Zawolo admitted to receiving communication from the students but said “in accordance to the Freedom of Information Act, the students’ action was not appropriate.”
Zawolo confirmed that he received the students communication on 6, June, 2023, and in less than seven working days, the students took onto the streets with their protest action, something which he said, contravenes provision of thirty days as contain in the FOI Act.
The MCSS Boss said though the students have the right to express their grievances in the way they think of getting redress but it should be in line with due process.
Zawolo reminded the students to at all-time exhibit best practices in everything they want to do.
He emphasized that his administration at MCSS is not happy with the current status of public schools, especially those under the MCSS and that the central government is aware of the increasing concerns.
According to Superintendent Zawolo, with all the financial constraints that the government is going through, it is making use of the little that is available through the help of developing partners for the educational empowerment of Liberia’s children.
Responding to the students’ claim of low salaries for MCSS teachers, and the need for better schools facilitates, Superintendent Zawolo said MCSS administration is not sleeping concerning these pressing issues.
Zawolo used the occasion to disclose that there is an allotment for each government school to receive US$5,000 and required text books for students in all public schools in the coming academic year.