Monrovia-Students of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), especially from D.12 Memoral High School on Bushrod Island, jolted against the lack of teachers in the classrooms as they took to the streets on Thursday to demand the immediate government intervention.
The students in uniform abandoned their classes and blocked a major roadway, disrupting traffic for several hours as they called on the authorities of the nation government, mainly the ministry of education to address the lack of teachers at their school.
“We are not learning anything. We want teachers,” the protesting students chanted, insisting that they would not leave the streets until their concerns were addressed.
According to the students, they have been without teachers in their classrooms for more than three weeks since the opening of the 2026/2027 academic semester, leaving them unable to receive instruction and notes for their studies.
The protest comes amid allegations that teachers within the Monrovia Consolidated School System are engaged in a go-slow action over demands for improved working conditions and better welfare.
The allegation further that the teacher wants the government to improve their salary and provide other necessary needs.
The students during the protest called on the Ministry of Education to intervene urgently and ensure that teachers return to the classrooms so that normal academic activities can resume.
The demonstration also comes just hours after a remark made by the Director General of the Civil Service Agency, Josiah Jokah, which went viral. In his remark, Jokah boasted that protests in Liberia education and health sectors had declined under the administration of President Joseph Boakai.
The students’ protest has brought renewed attention to concerns about the delivery of education and the impact of unresolved labour-related issues on students’ learning.
As the situation unfolds, members of the public are watching to see what steps the Ministry of Education, and the management of the Monrovia Consolidated School System will take to resolve the situation and ensure that students return to their classrooms.
For the affected students, however, the immediate demand remains clear, they want teachers in their classrooms and the opportunity to continue their education without further disruption.
They urged the government to urgently address the situation and restore normal academic activities.
The students said they had gone for more than three weeks without teachers since the resumption of the new academic year, leaving them unable to receive regular classroom instruction.
During the protest, some students expressed frustration over the disruption of their education, telling journalists that they were no longer learning because of the absence of teachers.
“No teachers for more than three weeks. Nobody to teach us. We are not learning anything. We want teachers,” the students said.
The situation has raised concerns among the students about the impact of the prolonged absence of teachers on their education, particularly as the academic year continues.
The protest also follows a go-slow action recently announced by teachers under the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), who are demanding improved working conditions and better welfare.
The teachers’ action has added to concerns about the challenges facing public education in Monrovia, as students continue to call for a lasting solution to the situation.
The protesting students called on the Ministry of Education and the MCSS to intervene urgently by addressing the teacher shortage and ensuring that qualified teachers return to the classrooms.
They say the continued disruption of classes could affect their academic progress if the situation is not resolved quickly.
The students’ demonstration highlights the need for urgent attention to the challenges affecting teaching and learning in government-run schools.
As of the time of this report, no response from the Ministry of Education or the MCSS regarding the students’ protest had been provided in the information available for this story.
Sando Condemns Use of Students in Teachers’ Salary Protest
Meanwhile, Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando has condemned the reported involvement of students in protests over teachers’ salary increases, warning that professional teachers should not use students to advance their demands.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Sando said the government would not tolerate teachers encouraging students to take to the streets over salary-related concerns.
He clarified that the recent protest was not about volunteer teachers, explaining that the government, through the Ministry of Education, had enrolled 400 volunteer teachers in the MCSS school network.
According to Sando, the concerns raised during the protest were related to demands for salary increases.
He said teachers who have concerns about their salaries should engage the relevant authorities through constructive dialogue rather than abandon their classrooms or involve students in demonstrations.
Sando stressed that teachers have a professional responsibility to educate and protect students, warning that any incident involving students during a protest could have serious consequences.
He also cautioned against the use of social media to encourage students to participate in demonstrations, urging teachers to use appropriate channels to address their grievances.
The Deputy Information Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Education was holding a meeting with stakeholders, including representatives of the teachers’ association, to discuss the situation.
He said the Education Minister had promised to provide an update following the meeting and that any outcome would be communicated through the government’s official channels.
Sando maintained that teachers should pursue their concerns through responsible engagement with the authorities while ensuring that students remain focused on their education.
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