Gov’t Factors 1,000 Volunteer Teachers Into FY2025 Budget, But…

By Bill W. Cooper

The government  has announced that only 1,000 out of 6,600 volunteer teachers will be placed on the payroll in the 2025 national budget, thus sparking widespread concern and disappointment among educators across the country.

This pronouncement has raised questions about the government’s commitment to education and the welfare of teachers, where the education system has long struggled with funding and resources.

Volunteer teachers have played a crucial role in Liberia’s education system, particularly in rural and underserved areas where qualified teachers are scarce, leaving school-going children vulnerable to accessing adequate education.

Many of these educators have also taken on the responsibility of teaching without pay, driven by a commitment to improving literacy and educational outcomes in those areas, but the lack of financial support has made it increasingly difficult for them to continue their work.

However, in the 2025 budget, the government allocated a total of US$119,722,252 million for the education sector; a figure that many stakeholders believe is insufficient to meet the needs of the country’s schools while others described said funds as reasonable.

 The budget allocation includes funding for teacher salaries, school infrastructure, and educational materials, but critics argue that it falls short of what is necessary to ensure a quality education for all children.

Deputy Education Minister for Administration Nyekpeh Y. Forkpa revealed that said number amounts to just 15% of the total number of volunteer teachers, leaving the remaining 85% without financial compensation despite their continued service to the country.

Speaking before the Liberian Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating the freeze of USAID funds to Liberia on Monday, February 24, 2025, Deputy Minister Forkpa noted, “Due to the approved allocation we received after submitting our proposed budget, we have no alternative but to pay only 1,000 volunteer teachers this fiscal year.”

He also explained that the government recognizes the invaluable contributions of volunteer teachers, who have been instrumental in providing education in underserved communities, but financial limitations have necessitated difficult choices.

“While we appreciate the dedication and hard work of our volunteer teachers, we must also be realistic about our financial capabilities, especially so that the Ministry has a lot of other pressing priorities.

Again, the government is committed to improving the education system, but we are currently facing significant budgetary challenges that limit our ability to compensate all volunteer teachers,” Forkpa maintained.

The Deputy Education boss, at the same time, acknowledged the challenges facing the education sector but emphasized that the government is working to improve the situation for the betterment of the citizenry.

“We are aware of the limitations of our current budget, and we are actively seeking additional funding sources, including partnerships with international organizations and donor agencies now that USAID has frozen its aid to Liberia.

So, our goal moving forward as a Ministry with direct supervision over the country’s education sector is to create a sustainable education system that benefits all students and teachers across Liberia,” he added.

Meanwhile, the announcement has been met with a wave of criticism from various stakeholders, including teachers, students, and parents, among others, expressing outrage at the decision, arguing that it undermines the efforts of those who have selflessly dedicated their time and skills to educate the nation’s children, often in challenging conditions.

Parents, community leaders and students have further expressed their frustration with the government’s decision, arguing that the government’s failure to support all teachers undermines the education of their children.