There are indications that volunteer teachers providing free services to public schools across the country may soon be placed on national payroll as a tough-talking lawmaker comes to their defense in the Liberian Senate.
Margibi County Senator Emmanuel Nuquay, known for his tough stand on human rights and other issues of national concern, said it is unfair to have them serve the country without their just benefit, as required by law.
Senator Nuquay said during the regular session of the upper House of the Legislature last months that the government has a responsibility to place these teachers on the payroll and end their suffering, instead of using them as volunteers.
He disclosed that the group is undergoing severe hardship with no stable income to cater to themselves and their families.
The senator appealed to lawmakers to join hands and pressure the government to place all volunteers’ teachers on national payroll.
He emphasized that neglecting the role of teachers in society is an invitation to ignorance, poverty and disease, underscoring that Liberia, one of the oldest in Africa, must not be the first to set the bad precedence of using teachers as volunteers.
The lawmaker also called for an immediate general increment in the salaries of all public school teachers to help them cope with the severe economic situation in the country.
Senator Nuquay emphasized that the average monthly salary of teachers is not enough to provide their basic needs, including food, good healthcare and education for their children.
The Margibi County senator disclosed that several teachers have abandoned the profession in search of greener pasture in other areas due to low salaries and benefits. The umbrella group for teachers in Liberia, the National Teacher Union, says it welcomes the step taken by the lawmakers to improve the living standard of teachers in the country.
