In a country where politicians live in luxury while ordinary citizens suffer, the reality for Liberian schoolchildren could not be starker. Recent photos from the Demonstration Public School in Fish Town, River Gee County, have exposed a deeply troubling situation where students are forced to sit on the bare floor for hours each day in the absence of basic furniture like desks and chairs.
This glaring example of the government’s failure to prioritize education has reignited national outrage, highlighting the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyles of Liberia’s lawmakers and the grim conditions facing its students.
The images, shared by a teacher at the school, show children huddled on the floor, trying to learn in a classroom that is lacking even the most basic resources. The lack of chairs and desks for students, particularly at the nursery and primary school levels, raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to education. If simple necessities like desks cannot be provided for students, it is difficult to imagine how much more fundamental needs are being neglected.
Meanwhile, the government’s spending priorities remain shockingly skewed. According to the FY2024 Outturn Report, the government allocated over US$40 million in just five categories for the country’s lawmakers. This included salaries for 103 lawmakers, which totaled over US$12 million, as well as nearly US$18 million for legislative committee hearings. Additionally, US$3.9 million was spent on new vehicles for these politicians, and nearly US$5 million went toward fuel costs. In total, US$40.9 million was spent on just a few lines for lawmakers, a sum that could have provided over 43,000 desks for students across the country. Yet, the government chooses to lavish funds on politicians’ vehicles and perks, leaving thousands of schoolchildren without even the most basic classroom essentials.
While politicians enjoy luxurious lifestyles, including US$45,000 cars and extravagant allowances, the country’s teachers, nurses, doctors, and security personnel are left in dire straits. Many volunteer workers in these sectors are unpaid, while others earn a mere US$150 per month. Even worse, the children of these politicians attend expensive private schools in Liberia and abroad, further distancing them from the reality faced by the children of ordinary Liberians.
It is a disturbing reality when the country’s public servants, who should be working for the welfare of the people, prioritize their personal gain over the future of the nation’s children. A simple student desk costs around US$23 and could provide thousands of desks for schools across Liberia. If the government were to allocate even a small portion of the funds spent on politicians’ luxuries, it could make a significant difference in the lives of these children. Instead, these funds remain squandered, reinforcing the growing sentiment that the government’s priorities are misaligned with the needs of its people.
This situation in River Gee County is not an isolated case, but rather a reflection of a broader pattern of mismanagement and neglect. While the people of Liberia struggle to survive, the politicians they elect to serve them continue to indulge in excessive spending at the expense of the country’s future. The evidence is clear: the country’s politicians are not serving the people but enriching themselves while leaving behind a legacy of neglect and poverty.
As the public grows increasingly frustrated with the state of affairs, it is crucial that citizens demand accountability. The situation at the Demonstration Public School is just one example of how the government’s failure to invest in education has undermined the future of Liberia’s children. The glaring disparity between the opulence enjoyed by lawmakers and the desperate conditions faced by the majority of Liberians is a call to action. It is time for the people to demand change and hold their leaders accountable for the mismanagement of the nation’s resources. The future of Liberia depends on it.
