spot_imgspot_img
Tuesday, December 10, 2024

GOL ALLOCATES $8.4 MILLION TO INTEGRATE 6,000 VOLUNTEER TEACHERS INTO NATIONAL PAYROLL

Date:

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.

smartnews
Smart News Liberia is an online news outlet and a product of Smart Media Group Inc. Our website, smartnewsliberia.com, covers a broad spectrum of news content. For inquiries or information, you can reach us at 0777425285 or 0886946925, or email us at smartnewsliberia@gmail.com or info@smartnewsliberia.com.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

CLASHES AT CAPITOL HILL HIGHLIGHT POWER STRUGGLES AND THREATS TO LIBERIA’S DEMOCRACY

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – Tensions boiled over at the...

‘WHERE IS OUR PRESIDENT?’ SENATOR KONNEH CALLS FOR STRONGER LEADERSHIP FROM BOAKAI

LIBERIA – Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Mohammed Konneh, who...

DR. NYAN ISSUES URGENT HEALTH WARNING AS NPHIL ENHANCES SURVEILLANCE AGAINST VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVER

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, the Director-General...

BOAKAI SIDESTEPS SPEAKER KOFFA: LOGICALITY OR PRECEDENT-SETTING BREACH?

President Joseph Boakai's decision to submit the 2025 draft...

A MILESTONE FOR LIBERIA’S HIGHER EDUCATION, BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN

The launch of Liberia’s first doctoral programs at the...

BOAKAI’S MISPLACED AMBITIONS AS LIBERIA BLEEDS AND THE PRESIDENT COURTS GLOBAL VANITY

Eight months into his presidency, Joseph Boakai’s administration is...

COMMENTARY

THE LASTING LEGACY OF PRINCE JOHNSON’S DEATH AND THE PATH FORWARD FOR LIBERIA

By Lyndon J. Ponnie, Sr. The passing of former Liberian...

PRES. BOAKAI’S LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND LIBERIA’S POLITICAL CRISIS

-A Commentary Joseph Boakai's failure to lead has once again...

THE MASS DISMISSAL OF LIBERIAN PUBLIC SERVANTS: A TROUBLING TREND UNDER THE BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION

A Commentary by Wondah L. Jah Since assuming the presidency,...

SECURITY RISKS: IS PRESIDENT BOAKAI UNKNOWINGLY SETTING THE STAGE FOR EARLY COUP D’ÉTAT?

In his commentary, Liberian political analyst Vandalerk R. Patricks...

LATEST NEWS

WHY CLLR. TIAWON SAYE GONGLOE BELIEVES A BETTER LIBERIAN AGENDA IS POSSIBLE…?

Liberia's undisputed integrity icon, Cllr. Tiawon Saye Gongloe says...

LIBERIA: WEAH, BOAKAI TO FACE-OFF IN RUNOFF AGAIN – AS NEC DECLARES CAMPAIGN OPEN

MONROVIA – Amid political pundits’ prediction that the presidential...

U.S. REP. SMITH SPEAKS OUT AGAINST PUSH TO CHANGE LIBERIA’S PRO-LIFE LAWS

MONROVIA – U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, Chair of the...

Share post:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OPINION

LIBERIANS ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UP AND CDC

  An Opinion By Grace RK Guar Every six...

AMERICA’S NEGLECT OF LIBERIA: A CALL FOR CHANGE

An Opinion By Bishop Dr. Rudolph Q. Kwanue, Sr A...

AMID AN UNENDING WAR AGAINST POVERTY, INJUSTICES – HAS THE PROGRESSIVE STRUGGLE BECOME LOST IN TRANSLATION?

A Patriot's Diary With Ekena Wesley What manner of Liberian progressives...

HAS PRESIDENT BOAKAI’S GOVERNMENT BEGUN BEARING GOOD FRUITS? (PART1)

By Jacob N.B. Parley Following a careful reflection, I have...

ELEVATING THE AG BIBLE COLLEGE TO A UNIVERSITY: A MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT

By Jacob N.B. Parley After many years of successful preaching...

THE GALLERY

spot_imgspot_img

MORE ARTICLES

spot_imgspot_img

MORE NEWS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS

LATEST CRIME NEWS

Share via
Copy link