Cestos City, River Cess County – A prominent civil society advocate in River Cess County, Mr. Charles Harrison Teah Sr., has launched a a wave of criticisms against the county’s education authorities, describing the River Cess School System as “a dead system” that has failed the children of the county.
Speaking to Verity on Monday, October 13, Mr. Teah accused both the County Education Officer (CEO) and District Education Officers (DEOs) of presiding over a collapsing system marred by neglect, corruption, and incompetence.
According to him, education in River Cess has deteriorated due to poor supervision, political interference, and the continued appointment of unqualified individuals to key positions. “Those responsible for managing our schools have done nothing significant to improve the system and, therefore, deserve no appreciation,” Teah said bluntly.
He cited the increasing number of unpaid volunteer teachers, the sidelining of competent educators, and the retention of deceased and transferred teachers on the government payroll as evidence of systemic failure. Mr. Teah further alleged that some education officials are employing relatives and friends while leaving committed and qualified teachers out of work.
“The situation has become so alarming that some schools are operating with only one teacher—or none at all,” he lamented, warning that the future of River Cess’s youth is at serious risk if urgent reforms are not undertaken.
In response, Resident District Education Officer of Timba Mr. George T.K. Nyanjaine admitted that the county’s education sector faces “real challenges” but clarified that the Ministry of Education has already conducted a vetting process for volunteer teachers. He said the verified list has been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for possible inclusion on the government payroll.
Mr. Nyanjaine also disclosed that “direct replacement” is ongoing for teachers who have either died or transferred to other ministries, adding that the Education Office remains committed to restoring credibility and stability to the school system.
Despite these assurances, critics like Mr. Teah maintain that the situation requires more than administrative promises, it demands accountability, transparency, and political will to revive what he calls “a dying foundation of the county’s development.”
