By: Jamesetta D. Williams
In a groundbreaking move to improve Liberia’s education system, the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Jarso Marley Jallah, has announced the transition of volunteer teachers to the government payroll. This initiative aims to recognize the dedication of teachers and ensure fair compensation for their services.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) press briefing, Dr. Jallah revealed that 56% of volunteer teachers across the country would be transitioned onto the payroll. This reform aligns with Pillar 6 of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which underscores the importance of teachers in strengthening the education sector.
A recent nationwide profiling and audit of volunteer teachers conducted by the Ministry of Education found that out of 6,190 individuals, only 3,557 met the required qualifications. To address this, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Civil Service Agency (CSA) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), has secured fiscal space to accommodate 2,000 qualified volunteer teachers on the payroll by April 30, 2025.
“This is a significant step in ensuring that qualified teachers receive salaries for their dedication to shaping the minds of our future leaders,” Dr. Jallah stated.
The transition will begin immediately and follow a structured process, including:
Registration and interviews to verify teacher records
Credential verification to ensure proper qualifications
Completion of personal action forms for government employment
Signing of training contracts to formalize employment
Once these steps are completed, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) will finalize payroll processing, ensuring these teachers receive their salaries on time.
In addition to integrating volunteer teachers, Dr. Jallah highlighted efforts to resolve longstanding salary disparities among government-employed teachers. An internal review revealed that nearly 70% of government teachers were underpaid due to inconsistencies in the civil service salary structure.
To rectify this, the government has already provided salary top-ups to 9,271 out of 13,001 underpaid teachers and non-teaching staff. This adjustment ensures fair wages and reflects the administration’s commitment to valuing teachers.
“This initiative is a testament to our promise that we appreciate our teachers—not just in words, but in action,” Dr. Jallah emphasized.
The Minister commended the efforts of Deputy Minister Attorney Jonathan Jackson and Director of Human Resources Mr. Jesus Nite, who worked closely with the CSA and MFDP to make these reforms a reality.
Dr. Jallah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector by ensuring teachers are qualified, fairly compensated, and motivated to deliver quality education.
