MCSS Delays School Reopening to October Amid Renovations

MONROVIA — The Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) has announced that its schools will reopen in October instead of September, citing ongoing renovation works as the reason for the delay.

Augurie E. Stevens, Superintendent of the MCSS made the disclosure during the regular Ministry of Information press briefing, where she also outlined the school system’s fee structure, addressed teachers’ labor concerns, and provided an update on the enrollment of volunteer teachers onto the system’s payroll.

“We are opening school in October because of the continuous renovation that we have scheduled this school year,” Stevens said, emphasizing that the delayed reopening is “because of the renovation, not go-slow.”

Stevens said the decision is intended to allow the renovation works to continue while preparing the schools for the new academic year. She also rejected suggestions that the delayed reopening was connected to a work slowdown by teachers.

“I want to be very emphatic. It’s because of the renovation, not go-slow,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, the MCSS has announced its fees for students from seventh grade through senior high school, with junior high school students expected to pay 3,000Ld for the academic year and senior high school students 3,250Ld.

“For the senior high school, it’s 3,250ld for the academic year,” Stevens said, adding that junior high school students would pay US$3,000.

She also clarified that students from early childhood through sixth grade will not be required to pay tuition or registration fees, in line with the Ministry of Education’s mandate on free basic education.

“We are aware that from early childhood straight through the sixth grade, we are with the Ministry of Education, that those areas are free,” Stevens said. “There will be no tuition or registration fee.”

She further assured parents that students in junior high school would not face additional charges beyond the stated fees.

“There will be no additional fees assessed for parents with junior high school,” Stevens said, listing PTA and sitting fees among charges that would not be imposed.

The MCSS Superintendent also addressed the ongoing labor concerns involving teachers, warning that a “go-slow” would not be tolerated because of its potential impact on students’ instructional time.

“A go-slow does not add a single teacher to the payroll,” Stevens stated. “It does not move a single line item to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning any faster.”

According to Stevens, 459 volunteer teachers have been enrolled on the MCSS payroll through efforts involving the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Civil Service Agency.

“We have 459 volunteer teachers enrolled on the MCSS payroll,” she disclosed.

Stevens argued that a go-slow could further affect students who have already lost instructional time.

“What it does, it takes away 19,000 children, children who have already lost instructional time across the Republic’s recent history, and place their education at risk,” she said.

While addressing teachers’ concerns, Stevens acknowledged that some educators have upgraded their academic qualifications, including obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“We know that a number of teachers have upgraded their academic qualifications. We are aware of that. Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree,” she said, describing the issue as “not a small grievance.”

Stevens said the administration is working with the Civil Service Agency and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning on an ongoing salary review and adjustment process for MCSS staff.

“This administration, together with the Civil Service Agency and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, has been engaged in an ongoing process of salary review and adjustment for MCSS staff across the board,” she said.

According to the Superintendent, the review is intended to ensure that teachers’ compensation more accurately reflects their qualifications and responsibilities in the classroom.

The MCSS also expressed satisfaction with the performance of its students in the recent WASC examinations, describing the results as encouraging.

“We’re proud to state here today that our students did excellently well on the WASC exams,” Stevens said.

Stevens thanked the Ministry of Information, members of the press, parents, teachers and students for their continued support as MCSS prepares for the new academic year.