Haywood Mission Institute is under intensifying public scrutiny following an investigation by Verity News which uncovered leaked internal memos, salary slips, and audio recordings that point to alleged labor rights violations, systemic intimidation of teachers, and administrative hostility toward collective engagement.
The disclosures come amid escalating tension between the management and teaching staff, who accused the institution of maintaining poverty-level wages, excessive workloads, and punitive responses to lawful grievances.
The school currently enrolls approximately 937 students, according to internal enrollment records.
Leaked Salary Slips Reveal Poverty-Level Pay
Copies of official HMI salary payment slips reviewed by this newspaper show that several teachers earn a gross monthly salary of L$14,000, with deductions for absenteeism, lateness, and alleged classroom infractions reducing take-home pay to as low as L$13,540. At prevailing exchange rates, this translates to well below US$100 per month.
Internal sources disclosed that some teachers oversee class sizes exceeding 80 students, teach two to four classes, and handle multiple subjects simultaneously, all while receiving the same flat wage regardless of qualifications, workload, or years of service.
“These are wages that cannot sustain a family in Monrovia,” one teacher said on condition of anonymity. “Yet the school continues to collect full tuition from parents.”
Tuition Income Grows as Teacher Pay Stagnates
Documents from the institution’s 2025/2026 academic year indicate that tuition ranges from L$36,000 to L$83,500 per student annually, excluding mandatory U.S. dollar-denominated fees for ID cards, laboratory use, uniforms, and late-payment penalties.
Based on enrollment figures, education analysts estimate that the school generates tens of millions of Liberian dollars annually, raising questions about financial prioritization amid persistent teacher hardship.
Contracts Contradict Termination Claims
One of the most troubling cases involves the dismissal of a teacher on January 23, 2026, justified by the administration on the grounds that “no formal employment contract was ever executed.”
However, leaked copies of an Administrator’s and Teacher’s Contract, signed in September 2025, clearly spell out employment terms, remuneration, probationary conditions, and termination procedures—directly contradicting the dismissal letter.
Labor law experts consulted by this paper say such inconsistencies may amount to procedural unfairness under Liberia’s Decent Work Act.
“If a valid contract exists and the employer later denies its existence to justify termination, that raises serious legal and ethical red flags,” one labor relations specialist observed.
Suspensions Linked to Petition Spark Fear
Internal memoranda further confirm the suspension of at least two teachers accused by management of organizing what it described as an “unsanctioned collective action.” Suspension letters cite alleged plans for work slowdowns and disruption of instruction.
Teachers, however, strongly deny these allegations.
“We did not strike. We did not slow down work,” an internal source said. “We only signed a petition calling for dialogue, fair pay, and respect. Now people are being suspended, dismissed, and threatened.”
Several leaked audio recordings allegedly capture senior administrators instructing dissatisfied teachers to “leave if you are not satisfied.”
Climate of Fear and Intimidation
Multiple teachers described an atmosphere of fear in which staff members are discouraged from voicing concerns. According to internal accounts, teachers who supported the petition were warned of dismissal, while others were pressured to distance themselves from colleagues perceived as dissenters.
“This is no longer about education,” said one senior instructor. “It’s about control.”
Consequences for Teaching and Learning
Education observers warn that the ongoing dispute could have serious implications for students.
“When teachers are demoralized, overworked, and insecure, learning inevitably suffers,” said an education advocate in Monrovia. “Large class sizes combined with intimidation undermine academic quality.”
Administration Stands Firm
According to multiple internal sources, the administration has flatly rejected the teachers’ petition, dismissed several staff members, and warned that existing contracts could be terminated if agitation continues.
“They told us again today to ‘leave’ if we are not satisfied,” one teacher said.
Repeated efforts by this newspaper to obtain an official response from Haywood Mission Institute’s administration were unsuccessful as of press time.
Calls for Government and Faith-Based Intervention
Teachers are now appealing to the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor, and faith-based oversight bodies to intervene, examine the leaked materials, and ensure compliance with national labor and education standards.
“This is not just a labor issue,” one source emphasized. “It is about dignity, legality, and the future of education.”
