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Over 200 aggrieved public school teachers in Maryland County recently threatened to engage in a go-slow action due to alleged salary arrears owed to them by the government.
The teachers, represented by spokesman Victor Dortue, indicated that they had not been paid their salaries for October, November, and December of 2024, despite efforts to address the issue through various channels, including reaching out to government authorities and education stakeholders.
The spokesperson clarified that their strike action is not politically motivated but driven by the need to receive their rightful pay, emphasizing the challenges they faced during the holiday season due to the lack of payment.
He encouraged solidarity among affected teachers to participate in the go-slow action as a means to amplify their concerns.
Teacher Victor Dortue said they have exhausted all efforts, reaching out to members of the Maryland legislators, County education authorities, Parents Teachers Association, National Teachers Association of Liberia, Maryland branch, Civil Service Agency, Ministry of Finance and the county Superintendent office but did not get the anticipated result.
“We are now out of patience and it is due to the inability of the requisite authorities to handle or address our concerns, and that is why they will be laying chalk down,” he said. “We will not rest until the government can address our concerns, so we need the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Education to do the needful before it gets too late”.
The aggrieved teacher spokesman is also dispelling rumors that their strike action is politically motivated, our action is not to undermine the government but it is for a just cost, a cost to ensure that we get our pay that is due us by the government; so we are not supported by any politician nor anyone.
“We want to assure the public that our action will be peaceful and we will not be seen in the streets but again we exhaust all efforts to get the cooperation of our colleagues and that all public schools doors are shut down across the county” the aggrieved teacher’s spokesman noted.
While expressing regret over the situation, Maryland County Education Officer (CEO), Emmanuel Toe, assured the teachers that efforts were being made to resolve the issue and requested their patience during the process.
Mr. Emmanuel Toe, CEO of Maryland has called on the teachers to exercise restrain as the Ministry is doing all they can to address their concerns
“I deeply regret that it has to take this period of time, our office is doing everything possible to mitigate with requisite stakeholders in addressing the aggrieved teachers’ plights,” CEO Emmanuel Toe disclosed.
According to the Maryland County CEO the teachers aren’t alone in this situation, the District Education officers of the county are also affected. He, however, called on the teachers to withhold their planned action, assuring them that their plight will be addressed appropriately.
Parents in the county also voiced their support for the teachers, underscoring the importance of timely payments to ensure quality education for their children. There were concerns raised about the potential impact on students’ learning if the salary issues are not promptly addressed.
