Beneath the bright lights of the newly modernized Boegeezay Public School lies a troubling reality: while the school now boasts improved infrastructure and is preparing to upgrade to 12th grade next academic year, the very teachers keeping the institution alive say they may soon walk away.
More than ten qualified volunteer teachers have threatened not to return to the classroom after the current academic year, citing years of unpaid service and the government’s continued failure to place them on payroll.
Their possible departure poses a serious threat to the future of education in Monweh District, where Boegeezay Public School remains the only high school serving thousands of students and families.
Speaking to Verity News, Acting Principal Chris Gbotoe described the school’s staffing crisis as one of its greatest challenges.
“Every institution depends on teachers. Teachers are the brain behind every school,” Gbotoe said. “When you have qualified and competent teachers, students perform well, and the institution earns respect. But since I took over, one of our biggest challenges has been teacher employment.”
According to him, despite the school’s progress in infrastructure and academic expansion, staffing remains dangerously unstable.
“This school is the heartbeat of the entire district,” he emphasized. “It is the only high school we have in Monweh District.”
Gbotoe revealed that even he, despite serving as Acting Principal since 2024, remains a volunteer.
“Since I came to Monweh District in 2024, I have not been employed by the government. I am still working hard, but the pressure continues to mount,” he said.
He explained that numerous documents and employment requests have been submitted to the Ministry of Education, yet no action has been taken.
“Several documents were submitted to the Ministry, but there has been no employment result,” he added.
The acting principal disclosed that approximately ten volunteer teachers currently form the backbone of the school’s academic workforce. Many possess recognized professional qualifications; including bachelor’s and associate degrees.
“These are not unqualified people,” Gbotoe stressed. “Some hold bachelor’s degrees some have associate degrees, and they are the ones carrying the high school right now.”
However, frustration is reaching a breaking point.
After years of sacrifice and unpaid service, many of the volunteer teachers say they are no longer willing to continue under such conditions.
“They are planning to leave immediately after this academic year,” Gbotoe warned.
The looming exit of the volunteer teachers raises serious concerns about whether Boegeezay Public School can successfully sustain its planned expansion to 12th grade.
The situation exposes a painful contradiction: a modern school building may symbolize progress, but without paid and motivated teachers, that progress remains fragile.
Expressing deep concern, Chairperson of the Parent-Teachers Association, Junior G. Joe, said the information has left him heartbroken since learning about the teachers’ decision.
He stressed that the government must act urgently to retain the teachers before it becomes too late for the children’s education.
Joe also disclosed that the PTA has been holding several meetings to address the growing crisis while awaiting government intervention.
He added that his office is engaging parents to contribute financial support toward the volunteer teachers as a temporary measure while waiting for the government’s response.
Community members are calling on the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Education to urgently intervene before the district’s only high school faces a devastating teacher shortage.
