Teachers in Maryland County, operating under the banner of “The Aggrieved Teachers of Maryland County (TAToMC),” are peacefully striking to demand their salaries.
A spokesperson for the group recently appeared on local community Radio, Voice of and explained the treatment they have received from the government.
The spokesperson explained that they had communicated with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Civil Service Agency (CSA) through a letter, stating that their names had been removed from the payroll without proper investigation.
He told our correspondent that after the Ministry of Education conducted a biometric verification, they submitted a list of names to the CSA. However, instead of conducting a thorough investigation into the qualifications of the individuals labeled as unqualified by the Ministry of Education, the CSA removed the names of more than 170 teachers from the payroll.
As a result, these teachers have not received any pay for over three months, and many live far from cities and towns, with some residing in urban areas.
Meanwhile, the situation has led to widespread dissatisfaction with the current leadership at the MoE.
Furthermore, the communication from the teachers was not addressed, prompting them to take action that impacts educated individuals who have families to support. According to Article 17 of the constitution, they have the right to peaceful assembly.
As a result of not receiving their salaries for three months, the teachers shut down all government schools early Monday January 20, stating that there will be no lessons until the government responds to their grievances and reinstates their names on the payroll according to their qualifications. They insist that classes in government schools across Maryland County will only resume once their concerns are addressed; otherwise, they will continue their peaceful protest for salary payments.
The aggrieved teachers express hope that the current government of Liberia will honorably address their concerns.
