MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Ministry of Education has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at strengthening Liberia’s education system by investing $8.4 million to integrate over 6,000 volunteer teachers into the national payroll. This transformative move seeks to improve teacher compensation, professionalize the workforce, and address disparities in teacher distribution, particularly in underserved areas.
Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah introduced the initiative on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, during her appearance before the Senate plenary. She stressed the urgent need for better financial security for teachers, particularly in senior secondary schools, where a shortage of qualified educators is most pronounced.
“This initiative is a historic step toward professionalizing our teaching workforce and ensuring fair compensation for those who play a key role in shaping the future of Liberia,” Dr. Jallah explained.
The initiative follows a national profiling exercise that revealed 80% of volunteer teachers are male, with varying educational qualifications. Among the 6,000 teachers being integrated into the payroll:
3,213 hold high school diplomas.
31 have master’s degrees. The goal is to standardize teacher qualifications, offer improved compensation, and enhance retention and professional development.
To further support education, the Ministry has allocated $65,000 per school from the 2024 national budget for essential educational materials. Half of these funds have already been distributed to ensure that students have the resources necessary for effective learning.
Dr. Jallah also addressed the challenge of unequal teacher distribution across Liberia. While counties like Montserrado, Nimba, and Bong have the highest concentrations of volunteer teachers, counties such as Bomi, Gbarpolu, Rivercess, River Gee, Grand Gedeh, and Sinoe face significant teacher shortages. To address this, the Ministry has initiated an Enrollment Drive Campaign to increase student attendance in under-enrolled areas and is distributing school supplies to encourage students to return to school.
Additionally, the Ministry is expanding its school feeding program, which currently serves 295,000 students across 1,215 schools. This program, supported by four key partners, aims to remove barriers to education by providing nutritious meals, allowing students to concentrate on their studies.
Dr. Jallah also acknowledged the challenges posed by an aging education workforce. With 21 Education Officers and 96 teachers set to retire this year, the need for sustained recruitment and retention efforts for County and District Education Officers is critical.
The $8.4 million investment marks a significant step toward revitalizing Liberia’s education system. Minister Jallah urged national support to ensure the success of this initiative, which she believes will help secure a brighter future for Liberia’s children.
“This initiative reflects our renewed commitment to creating a resilient, professional, and well-supported education workforce,” she concluded, stressing the importance of providing equitable access to quality education for Liberia’s next generation.
