MONROVIA, LIBERIA — Deputy Information Minister Daniel O. Sando has condemned recent protests involving students of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), accusing teachers of abandoning classrooms and involving students in their salary demands.
Sando’s statement comes amid growing tensions within the public school system over teachers’ grievances and demands for increased salaries.
The government, through the Ministry of Education, has scheduled an emergency meeting with the leadership of the MCSS Teachers Association to discuss the dispute and seek a resolution.
Sando described the use of students in salary-related protests as unacceptable, stressing that teachers should pursue their demands through established channels rather than disrupt classes and expose students to potential risks.
He urged educators to work through their association and engage the Ministry of Education and MCSS authorities to address their concerns. He also emphasized that salary increases must follow the appropriate administrative procedures and cannot be determined outside established government processes.
Addressing concerns surrounding volunteer teachers, Sando said 400 volunteer teachers across the MCSS network’s 26 schools are already on the government payroll. He maintained that the current dispute is driven by demands for salary increases rather than the status of volunteer teachers.
The deputy information minister also commended the police for their handling of the demonstrations, saying officers acted professionally and that no cases of brutality had been reported.
Sando warned that any further actions that endanger students or involve unlawful conduct would attract accountability, as the government seeks to restore normal academic activities.
The Ministry of Education is expected to inform the public of the outcome of its meeting with the MCSS Teachers Association through official government communication channels.
The dispute has renewed concerns about teachers’ compensation and the impact of industrial disagreements on students’ education, with the planned meeting expected to provide an opportunity for dialogue between the parties.
