Lawmakers will question education officials and teachers' leaders about the prolonged shutdown of public schools in Monrovia.
The House of Representatives has summoned Liberia's Education Minister, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, the Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), Dr. Augurie Stevens, and the MCSS Teachers Association leadership. This action follows concerns raised by Representative Dixon W. Seboe regarding the continued closure of public schools in Monrovia, which has disrupted academic activities for over a month into the new school year. Lawmakers aim to understand the dispute, negotiation status, and plans to resume normal classes.
The summons comes as MCSS Teachers Association President Augustine N. Nyormui has instructed teachers and staff to stay off school premises until their demands, including the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Augurie Stevens, are met. This has intensified the standoff, leaving thousands of students without instruction and prompting some to consider protests. The MCSS Students’ Union has also issued an ultimatum, demanding government action to resolve the dispute and implement a March 2025 Memorandum of Understanding.
Students are frustrated by lost instructional time and deteriorating school conditions, including inadequate learning materials and poor infrastructure, which they attribute to insufficient budgetary allocations. The dispute involves long-standing tensions over salary adjustments, employment status, and payroll commitments, with teachers having previously protested unpaid salaries and the treatment of volunteer educators. The House seeks to establish facts and find a resolution to safeguard students' right to education.
Why it mattersThousands of students are deprived of education due to the prolonged closure of public schools in Monrovia.
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