The Ministry of Education has unveiled an ambitious initiative to improve Liberia’s education system by allocating $8.4 million to integrate over 6,000 volunteer teachers into the national payroll. This transformative investment aims to enhance teacher compensation, professionalize the workforce, and address disparities in teacher distribution, particularly in underserved regions.
Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah announced the initiative on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, during her appearance before the Senate plenary. She emphasized the urgent need to improve financial security for teachers, especially in senior secondary schools, which are experiencing acute shortages of qualified educators.
“This initiative marks a historic effort to professionalize the teaching workforce and ensure fair compensation for those who play a vital role in shaping our nation’s future,” Dr. Jallah stated.
The initiative follows a nationwide profiling exercise that revealed that 80% of volunteer teachers are male, with varied educational qualifications. Of the 6,000 teachers being added to the payroll:
- Three thousand two hundred thirteen hold high school diplomas.
- Thirty-one have Master’s degrees.
This integration aims to standardize teacher qualifications, provide better compensation, and improve teacher retention and professional development.
As part of the initiative, the Ministry of Education has allocated $65,000 per school from the 2024 national budget to supply essential educational materials. To date, 50% of these funds have been disbursed, ensuring students can access the tools needed for effective learning.
Dr. Jallah highlighted the importance of addressing disparities in teacher distribution across Liberia. While Montserrado, Nimba, and Bong counties have the highest concentrations of volunteer teachers, counties like Bomi, Gbarpolu, Rivercess, River Gee, Grand Gedeh, and Sinoe face significant shortages.
To counter this imbalance, the Ministry has launched an Enrollment Drive Campaign to boost student attendance in low-enrollment areas and distributed school supplies to motivate students to return to the classroom.
The Ministry is also expanding its school feeding program, which benefits 295,000 students across 1,215 schools. Supported by four key partners, this program aims to reduce barriers to education by providing nutritional support, ensuring students can focus on their studies.
Dr. Jallah acknowledged the challenges posed by an aging education workforce. This year alone, 21 Education Officers and 96 teachers are set to retire, further underscoring the need for sustained recruitment and retention efforts for County and District Education Officers.
The $8.4 million investment represents a significant step toward revitalizing Liberia’s education system. Minister Jallah called for national support to ensure the success of this initiative, emphasizing its potential to secure a brighter future for Liberia’s children.
“This initiative reflects our renewed commitment to building a resilient, professional, and well-supported education workforce,” she concluded, highlighting the importance of providing equitable access to quality education for Liberia’s next generation.
