LOCAL NEWS
NIMBA COUNTY – Residents of Zahn Yehkeyee Town in Nimba County are raising alarm over what they describe as a growing education crisis after the community’s only public school was forced to reduce classes from sixth grade to second grade because of a severe shortage of teachers.
By: Christopher G. Fahn Zahn
With an estimated population of about 3,500 residents, Zahn Yehkeyee Town relies entirely on Zahn Yehkeyee Public School to educate its children.
However, the lack of qualified and government-supported teachers has significantly affected the institution’s ability to provide education beyond the lower elementary level.
Speaking to this reporter, the principal of the school, Mr. Eric Garpeh, said five volunteer teachers have been supporting the institution since 2018, but have yet to be placed on the government payroll.
The volunteers include Willie Carzeh, Ambrok Paye, Samuel Gonkar, Ericson Lougon and Bettina Mehm.
According to Mr. Garpeh, years of unpaid service have discouraged the teachers from continuing their work.
“These teachers have sacrificed their time and energy to educate our children, but without salaries or incentives, it has become increasingly difficult for them to remain in the classroom,” he said.
The principal explained that the reduction of the school from sixth grade to second grade has created serious challenges for students seeking to continue their education.
Zahn Yehkeyee Public School Mr. Eric Garpeh
Children wishing to attend classes beyond the second grade must walk nearly one hour and forty-five minutes to neighboring communities, a burden that has reportedly forced many to abandon their studies altogether.
Mr. Garpeh, who has served at the school since 2019, revealed that he is currently the only government-paid teacher assigned to the institution, making it difficult to effectively manage classes from the ABC level through the second grade.
He noted that whenever he attends workshops, training sessions or carries out administrative responsibilities, academic activities come to a complete halt because there is no other government-employed teacher available to take over.
Beyond the shortage of teachers, the school is also grappling with inadequate teaching and learning materials. Mr. Garpeh said the institution received limited educational supplies in February 2026 and has not received additional support since then.
As a result, he often improvises teaching aids to ensure students continue learning.
Parents and residents are now appealing to the Ministry of Education and the Government of Liberia to urgently intervene by deploying additional teachers, placing volunteer instructors on the national payroll and providing essential learning materials.
Community members warn that without immediate action, hundreds of children in Zahn Yehkeyee Town could be deprived of quality education, further widening the educational gap in rural Nimba County.
The situation underscores the persistent challenges confronting many rural schools across Liberia, where shortages of teachers and educational resources continue to limit access to learning opportunities for thousands of children.
Article Credit: NIMBA TV
