MONROVIA — Bong County Senator Prince Kermue Moye has raised concerns over the Ministry of Education’s centralized administrative system, accusing it of weakening the authority of County Education Officers (CEOs) to discipline, transfer or take administrative action against underperforming teachers in public schools.
By Obediah Johnson
Moye, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, said the arrangement could undermine accountability among teachers and negatively affect the delivery of quality education across Liberia.
Speaking during a regular session of the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, October 20, the senator argued that County Education Officers should have the authority to address cases involving teachers who fail to meet their professional responsibilities.
He described the arrangement under the current administration as unprecedented and warned that limiting decision-making at the county level could weaken school administration.
“Can you imagine that a County Education Officer does not have the authority to transfer a classroom teacher that is observed not working to the expectation of that CEO? CEOs do not have that right or authority to even transfer a teacher who is not going to work under this administration. This is killing our school system,” Moye said.
Teacher Accountability Concerns
The senator warned that the lack of administrative authority could make teachers less responsive to instructions from County Education Officers, potentially affecting supervision and performance in public schools.
He argued that education officials responsible for monitoring schools should have the necessary powers to address persistent absenteeism and poor performance among classroom teachers.
Moye cited an incident in Bong County in which the government reportedly took nearly two years to recruit a principal for a public high school following the resignation of the previous school head.
He said the delay illustrated the administrative challenges that could arise when decisions affecting schools are not handled efficiently.
The senator maintained that restricting county-level officials from taking timely administrative action does not serve the interests of students, teachers or the broader education system.
His remarks raise questions about the balance between centralized control at the Ministry of Education and the authority required by county officials to supervise teachers and ensure accountability in public schools.
Volunteer Teachers Still A Concern
Moye also expressed frustration over the continued reliance on volunteer teachers in public schools, despite repeated budgetary allocations intended to address staffing shortages and facilitate their placement on the government payroll.
He said inadequate staffing remains a major challenge in several communities, particularly in rural areas, where some schools reportedly lack sufficient teachers to meet students’ needs.
The senator recounted his engagements with constituents across Bong County, saying the issue of volunteer teachers repeatedly emerged during meetings with residents.
“Everywhere I went in Bong, one of the key issues in all the meetings was the issue of volunteer teachers. Everywhere I went, schools were empty,” he said.
Moye questioned why the problem continues despite funding provisions in previous national budgets intended to support volunteer teachers and improve staffing in public schools.
He argued that the government must move beyond making budgetary provisions and ensure that qualified teachers are recruited, placed on the payroll and deployed to schools where they are needed.
The senator said the continued presence of volunteer teachers remains a source of concern for citizens, particularly in communities where public schools struggle to maintain adequate staffing.
Senate Urged To Verify Teacher Lists
To address the problem, Moye called on the Senate to empower its Committee on Education to conduct nationwide assessments of volunteer teachers and determine the actual staffing needs of public schools.
He said lawmakers must establish a reliable basis for making budgetary decisions rather than relying solely on lists submitted by the Ministry of Education and the Civil Service Agency (CSA).
According to Moye, legislators have often failed to independently verify the names of volunteer teachers presented by the relevant authorities, raising concerns about the accuracy of the information used to guide budgetary allocations.
“This time around, I really hope that the Committee on Education of the Senate will be empowered to go across the country so that we find a practical solution to this volunteer teachers’ issue,” he said.
He called for a stronger monitoring mechanism to ensure that qualified and competent teachers remain in public schools and that government resources allocated for education produce measurable results.
A nationwide assessment, he suggested, could help establish the number of volunteer teachers working in public schools, identify staffing gaps and provide a clearer basis for determining which teachers should be considered for placement on the government payroll.
Praises US$1.2 Billion National Budget
Despite his concerns about the education sector, Moye commended fellow senators for their role in supporting an increase in Liberia’s national budget to US$1.2 billion.
He attributed the increase in available public resources to sustained legislative oversight and inquiries into the country’s financial sector.
The senator urged his colleagues to maintain pressure on government institutions to ensure that public funds are properly managed and directed toward programs that improve the lives of citizens.
He stressed that lawmakers must continue to exercise oversight and push for policies that address persistent challenges in education and other critical sectors.
Moye’s remarks come amid continuing concerns about teacher shortages, school administration and the effectiveness of public spending on education. His proposed call for a nationwide assessment of volunteer teachers places renewed focus on whether budgetary allocations are translating into adequate staffing and improved learning conditions in public schools.
The Ministry of Education’s position on the senator’s concerns over the centralized system and the authority of County Education Officers was not included in his remarks.