NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Maryland County District #2 Representative Anthony Williams has formally petitioned the House of Representatives to summon Liberia’s Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Jallah, for an urgent briefing on the government’s progress in employing and paying volunteer teachers.
The move follows growing frustration over delays in resolving a long-standing crisis that has left thousands of volunteer educators unpaid for years, despite funds allocated in the 2024 National Budget to address the issue.
By: Rufus Divine Brooks – Jr-rufusbrooks091@gmail.com
The plight of volunteer teachers gained national attention in September 2025, when a coalition of educators staged a high-profile protet at the residence of President Joseph Boakai, demanding formal employment and regular salaries.
According to the Ministry of Education, about 6,000 volunteer teachers were vetted, with 3,755 found qualified. In response to mounting pressure, the government pledged to place 2,000 qualified teachers on the payroll by the end of 2024.
As of November 2025, government officials reported that 2,148 qualified teachers had been added to the payroll, exceeding the initial target. Authorities said priority was given to teachers actively engaged in classrooms.
However, Rep. Williams says nearly 1,600 qualified volunteer teachers remain without contracts.
“The government appropriated funds in 2024 to end this nightmare,” Williams told reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday. “Yet close to 1,600 qualified volunteer teachers are still waiting, and similar challenges persist in other sectors, including health.”
Williams further criticized the lack of accountability, noting that neither the Ministry of Education nor the Ministry of Health has submitted a formal implementation report to the Legislature, despite repeated requests.
His call for Dr. Jallah to appear before the House reflects growing bipartisan concern over the government’s handling of 2024 budget allocations and the lack of transparency surrounding their execution.
“The Legislature deserves to know what mechanisms are in place to fulfill these commitments and how the remaining qualified educators will be integrated,” Williams stressed, adding that volunteer teachers are not the only affected group, as health workers also await promised employment.
The Ministry of Education has maintained that its staggered approach—prioritizing teachers actively teaching—is necessary to ensure accountability and effective use of resources.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on Williams’ request in the coming weeks.
If approved, Dr. Jallah’s appearance would mark the first direct legislative oversight hearing on the volunteer teachers issue, potentially setting a precedent for increased transparency in future budget implementations.
