MONROVIA – For several years in Liberia, some public and private school teachers have been involved in strikes and go-slow actions in demand of high salaries and incentives to dignify the teaching profession.
As the result of low salaries and incentives, some of these teachers who are professionals are forced to quit the profession for other jobs with high salaries and incentives.
In the wake of these challenges facing the teaching profession in the country, the president of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe is calling on the government for support that could dignify the teaching profession in the country.
LNBA President made the clarion call when he served as guest speaker at the induction ceremony of officers of the Monrovia Consolidated School System Teachers Association (MCSSTA) over the weekend at the G.W. Gibson Junior and Senior High.
In his speech, Cllr. Gongloe who is also a lecturer at the Louise Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia recommended to government to provide free transportation services to teachers on public vehicles, as well free education to children of teachers as a means of encouragement.
“If we pay attention to our teachers they will teach people that will become millionaires and billionaires in the country because teachers create the avenue for other people to grow and that doors are always open to good teachers,” said Gongloe.
Cllr. Gongloe stated besides providing salaries for teachers the Ministry of Education should give award not only to students who passed in public exams but teachers as well who impacted the knowledge to the students from that schools to pass the exam.
According to Cllr. Gongloe, there cannot be change without any agent of change and that if government cannot take care of teachers there will be no progress as no country can make progress without education. “Pay teachers well so that the children of Liberia can get better education,” he emphasized.
In his inaugural speech the president of the MCSSTA, Augustine Nyormui reminded the Government of Liberia to implement the Educational Reform Act of 2012 that stipulated salaries for education professionals
The MCSSTA president named the stipulated salaries structure as Master Degree Holders US$ 525,BSC/BA Degree Holders US$375, Associate Degree and B-Certificate Holders,US$185 C –Certificate Holders US$160. And other employees including janitors/custodian/ securities US$145.
“We will reconcile the employees of the system, protect and defend the labour rights of all employees regardless of status, maintain professionalism and maintain good working relationship with all authorities including students,” said Nyormui.
Nyormui leadership promised to amend some laws in the association constitution to abort the reoccurrences of too many crises within the association comprising of professionals.
The inducted officials of MCSSTA were: Augustine Nyormui President, John Argbsson Vice President, Rufus Bryant, Vice President for Operations, Emmanuel Dickson Secretary.
Others were:Mouna Sondah, Assistant Secretary,Samuel Russel, Financial Secretary, Paul Nardoh, Parliamentarian, Ruth Evans Treasurer and Philip Sayon Chaplain.