MONROVI – The leadership of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) Teachers’ Association has suspended its ongoing go-slow action, directing teachers, principals, administrators, caretakers, security personnel, and other school employees to resume work on Monday, October 26, 2026, as negotiations with the government continue over outstanding workers’ welfare concerns.
By: Gegee Brima – alhajigegeebrima@gmail.com
The decision was announced Friday by association president Augustine Nyormui during a press conference in Monrovia following discussions with government officials, including representatives of the National Legislature and the Ministries of Education and Finance. Nyormui said the suspension was intended to protect students’ interests, prevent further disruption to academic activities, and allow negotiations to continue.
“We encourage and appeal to all the teachers of MCSS, the caretakers, the principals, and the directors to report to work on Monday,” Nyormui said, urging school personnel to work together to improve the quality of education in Liberia.
According to Nyormui, the government has agreed to allow the association to compile accurate statistics on volunteer teachers and other MCSS employees who have not been included on the government payroll. The information is expected to be submitted to the relevant authorities for consideration in the preparation of the 2027 national budget.
He appealed to the Senate and House of Representatives to support the inclusion of the affected workers.
The association president also raised concerns about salary adjustments, noting that some government employees receive a US$50 salary top-up that MCSS workers have yet to receive. He said the issue would be addressed through a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which he expected to be signed the following week.
Despite suspending the go-slow, Nyormui warned the government, the Ministry of Education, and MCSS authorities against retaliating against employees who participated in the industrial action or publicly expressed concerns about their working conditions.
The MCSS Teachers Association head insisted that teachers, caretakers, administrators, and association leaders should not face disciplinary measures for raising grievances, including through social media.
Nyormui also called on the Civil Service Agency (CSA), headed by Dr. Josiah Joekai, to review salary deductions affecting MCSS employees whose assigned schools were closed and who, he argued, could not perform their duties under those circumstances.
He said some teachers and caretakers had their salaries deducted during the previous month and called for affected workers to be reimbursed.
To ensure a smooth resumption of classes, Nyormui urged the Ministries of Education and Finance, MCSS authorities, and lawmakers to conduct monitoring visits to schools across Monrovia to verify staff attendance and confirm that normal academic activities have resumed. He also called on the media to visit schools and report on the reopening process.
The association president specifically urged principals to monitor staff attendance and ensure that teachers prepare their weekly lesson plans and follow established school timetables.
He reminded teachers that the regular school day begins at 7:30 a.m. and encouraged them to prepare adequately for students’ return.
While expressing dissatisfaction with unresolved workers’ welfare issues, Nyormui commended the government for engaging with the association and expressed support for its efforts to combat illegal drugs, which he said negatively affect students, teachers, and communities.
He also welcomed the renovation of 26 elementary schools within the MCSS system but called for further investment in educational infrastructure.
“We are not here to fight the government. We are Liberians, and we have no country better than Liberia,” Nyormui said, stressing that the association wanted its concerns addressed through constructive engagement rather than confrontation.
Although the suspension is expected to allow classes to resume on Monday, October 26, Nyormui said negotiations would continue, particularly on the payroll status of volunteer teachers, salary adjustments, reimbursement of deductions, and the renewal and implementation of the MOU.
He urged teachers, school administrators, students, and parents to cooperate in ensuring a smooth reopening, emphasizing that sustained improvements in workers’ welfare and school infrastructure are essential to strengthening Liberia’s public education system.
