MARYLAND COUNTY, LIBERIA — The Maryland County Board of Education has announced the indefinite closure of all public schools in the county due to an ongoing dispute over unpaid salaries. Teachers and staff have not received their wages for the past three months, leading to growing frustration and discontent within the education sector.
In a statement issued by the affected teachers on January 19, 2025, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to meet earlier promises regarding the payment of salaries. According to the communication, various state officials, including the Controller General of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Roland Kanue, Deputy Director for Employment at the Civil Service Agency, Mr. Kilarie George Ivy, Chairperson of the Maryland County School Board Rev. David Bardue, and concerned parents, had all assured teachers that their unpaid wages for the months of October to December 2024 would be settled by January 16, 2025. However, these promises have yet to be fulfilled.
The statement from the teachers indicated that, despite initially agreeing to continue their duties based on these assurances, the continued delay in payment has led them to a final decision. As of January 20, 2025, all public schools in Maryland County have been closed indefinitely, with no clear timeline for reopening until the teachers receive their outstanding salaries.
The closure has left thousands of students without access to education, while parents and local officials are left grappling with the fallout. The decision has also raised concerns about the potential long-term effects on the education system in the county, as government officials are now under increasing pressure to resolve the situation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is yet to respond to the issue.
