MONROVIA – Monrovia’s public school children have become their own advocates. They marched to the Capitol on Tuesday because their teachers would not enter classrooms. Their testimony exposes a two-tier system. Private school pupils are sitting tests while public school pupils wait for instruction. The government responded the same day. It will place 201 more volunteer teachers on payroll from October, bringing the total to 409. That figure is itself an admission. Hundreds of MCSS teachers had been working as volunteers. The statement is silent on two student demands: the MOU and the Assistant Superintendent’s dismissal. Salary adjustments must wait for a wider reform. As THE ANALYST reports, pundits contend that classrooms reopen only if teachers trust these promises.
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Thousands of students in Monrovia’s public school system, the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), continued their peaceful protest in the streets of Monrovia on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, demanding that the Government of Liberia intervene in the ongoing teachers’ go-slow action.
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According to the students, the teachers’ go-slow disruption has deprived thousands of students of regular instruction, raising concerns about the academic calendar and the quality of education in the public school system.
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Speaking to journalists, one of the protesting students, Fatu Morris from the 4th grade class of the William V. S. Tubman High School, expressed her frustration, saying:
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“Almost two months na, teacher na come in our class yeah. Our other friend them from the private are taking their test.” “Because the big, big people in the government children na in government school so they na care for us. They wasting our time,” Morris said.
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Another student, Abraham Kollie from the Abendu Bentsi Junior and Senior High School, said, “The government needs to protect our rights to education by making sure teacher enter our various classrooms.” “Our counterparts at the private schools are ahead of us in learning. Private school students are already writing test, and we have not even begun any instructional activities yet,” the student said.
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The students said unresolved issues affecting teachers have disrupted instructional activities, causing them to lose valuable classroom time. They called on the government and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to address the concerns and restore normal teaching and learning across public schools.
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Petition to Legislature
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As part of the protest, student representatives submitted a petition to members of the House of Representatives at the Capitol Building, outlining their concerns and demanding urgent intervention to resolve the situation.
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Nimba County District #2 Representative Nya Flomo and Montserrado County District #8 Representative Prince Toles, Chairman of the House Committee on Claims and Petitions, reportedly assured the students that efforts would be made to address the matter swiftly.
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The petition outlines four major demands: the fulfillment of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the government, the dismissal of MCSS Assistant Superintendent Emmanuel Kyne Robertson, protection of students from administrative and political disputes, and an increase in the MCSS budget to improve school facilities and learning conditions.
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The protest follows a 24-hour ultimatum issued by the MCSS Students’ Union, which warned that students would take peaceful action if the government failed to address their concerns. The students are calling for swift action to resolve the dispute, emphasizing the need to protect their right to uninterrupted teaching and learning.
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Senate Chairman on Education
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Liberian Senate Chairman on Education Nathaniel McGill, on his official Facebook page, said: “The situation at MCSS is serious and deserves urgent attention. Students deserve to be in school, and the plight of teachers must be given equal consideration.
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The Senate, under the leadership of Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, is treating this matter seriously, and efforts are being made to address it as soon as possible.”
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Government Responds
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In response to the teachers’ go-slow and the students’ protest, the Government of Liberia said it has acknowledged concerns raised by teachers of the MCSS regarding employment regularization, outstanding salaries and compensation adjustments.
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According to a statement issued Tuesday following the students’ protest, the government said it recognizes the teachers’ invaluable contributions to the country’s educational system and remains committed to addressing their concerns through concrete administrative decisions, responsible financial measures and reforms.
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“Following consultations and coordinated efforts involving the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Civil Service Agency (CSA) and Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), the Government has reached a decision to enroll the outstanding 201 MCSS volunteer teachers on the national payroll effective October 2026,” the statement said.
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The government further said the enrolled teachers will receive their October salaries as formally employed government teachers, ending their volunteer status.
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The statement added: “This brings the total number of verified MCSS volunteers enrolled on the national payroll to 409.” “Through the collaborating institutions, the Government has agreed to settle the retroactive salaries of the affected MCSS teachers one week after the October salary payment consistent with their respective eligibility categories,” the release said.
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Regarding salary adjustments for currently employed MCSS teachers, the Government assures that it will address their concerns through the ongoing Government-wide Salary Structure Reform.
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In light of these decisions and ongoing interventions, the Government appeals to all teachers to remain calm and return to their classrooms while the responsible Government institutions implement the agreed measures.
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“The Government of Liberia equally encourages the MCSS students to remain in school, continue their academic activities without interruption and remains committed to constructive engagement with the MCSS teachers,” the statement concluded.
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