Salayea Volunteer Teachers Lay Down Chalk over Employment Discrimination, Demand Immediate Action from Education Ministry

By: Peter Kollie | Lofa County Contributing Reporter  

Salayea District, Lofa County —Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025—Volunteer teachers across Salayea District have announced an indefinite suspension of all teaching activities, accusing the Ministry of Education of marginalization, unfair employment practices, and failure to address long-standing grievances affecting nearly 50 unpaid educators.

In an official communication sent to the District Education Officer (DEO) and signed by the Acting Chairman of the Salayea District Volunteer Teachers, Mr. Joseph G. Fromayan, the teachers stated that they have “holistically laid down chalk” and will no longer render volunteer services until their employment status is addressed.

According to the teachers, their decision follows what they described as the Ministry of Education’s continued disregard for their contributions and qualifications.

The group expressed frustration that Salayea District was completely omitted during the final teacher verification exercise held in Voinjama City. Although they later benefited from “some slots” following concerns raised by local stakeholders, the teachers insist that the process remains unfair and discriminatory.

Despite Lofa County receiving 84 new employment slots from a recent two-month nationwide exercise, Salayea District reportedly received only one position, a situation the teachers say is unacceptable given that the district has 49 qualified volunteer teachers with valid credentials.

The teachers further noted that during the previous verification, Salayea District recorded 27 dead and abandoned teachers, which created vacancies they expected to fill. Several volunteer teachers’ names, they claim, were placed on the list for possible replacement, but no action has been taken by authorities.

“For many years, ranging from three to seven years, we have volunteered our services without pay,” the letter stated. “But the way we are being treated shows that our work is being devalued.”

The volunteers said they would no longer continue in the classroom while their colleagues in other districts benefit from employment opportunities.

“We have resolved to remain out of the classroom until the government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Education, can decide our fate,” the communication added. “If our employment will not be possible, we can quietly sit and look for other means to sustain our families.”

The teachers were quick to clarify that their action is not intended to undermine education authorities but is instead “an aggrieved and disenchanted action” resulting from years of neglect.

As the academic year progresses, it remains unclear how the suspension of volunteer services in Salayea District will affect schools, especially those heavily reliant on unpaid teachers.

The Ministry of Education has yet to respond to the concerns raised.