Published: October 26, 2026
MONROVIA — The Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) Teachers Association has announced the end of its prolonged go-slow, ordering teachers and other employees to resume classes Monday, Oct. 26, while strongly warning the government against dismissing or punishing workers who participated in the industrial action or publicly criticized how it handled their grievances.
By Blamo N. Toe
The association’s president, Augustine S. Nyormui, issued the warning at a news conference after negotiations with government officials, including representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and the National Legislature.
Nyormui specifically cautioned the Civil Service Agency (CSA), headed by Director-General Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., against retaliating against teachers, caregivers, administrators, and other employees who stayed away from work or expressed dissatisfaction through radio appearances and social media posts.
He warned that any attempt to dismiss affected employees would carry consequences, potentially undermining ongoing negotiations to resolve the dispute.
The decision to resume classes follows weeks of disrupted academic activities across MCSS schools, leaving students without regular classroom instruction.
According to Nyormui, the association reached its decision after consultations among its leadership and discussions with government officials regarding volunteer teachers, salary adjustments, and other employment-related grievances.
“As of Monday, next Monday, we encourage and we pray to all the teachers of MCSS, the caregivers, the principals, the directors. Please go to work. Please go to work,” Nyormui declared.
He emphasized that the return to classrooms does not mean the association has abandoned its demands or that negotiations have ended.
“We are cutting off the strike action because we love MCSS. We love Liberia. We love our students,” he said.
Despite announcing the resumption, Nyormui warned against punishing employees who participated in the go-slow or publicly criticized the government and MCSS administration.
“No employee should be punished because they go slow,” he declared.
He specifically referenced teachers who appeared on radio and television or used Facebook to express frustration over their working conditions.
The association also demanded the restoration of salaries reportedly withheld from employees during the school closures, arguing that workers should not be financially penalized for circumstances surrounding the disruption.
Meanwhile, Nyormui disclosed that negotiations had produced what he described as progress toward addressing the status of volunteer teachers who remain outside the government’s payroll system.
He said the government had agreed to allow the association to identify volunteer teachers not captured in official employment records, compile their information and submit the findings for consideration during the 2027 national budget process.
According to him, the exercise would help establish the number of affected teachers and provide a basis for discussions about their possible inclusion on the government payroll.
However, he did not indicate that automatic payroll placement had been approved.
Nyormui also raised concerns about salary disparities, particularly a reported US$59 payment or salary top-up received by some government workers but not extended to MCSS employees.
He said the association would continue pressing for salary adjustments and other benefits to be addressed through the 2027 budget.
The association’s president further disclosed that discussions were underway to finalize a memorandum of understanding outlining commitments reached between the government and MCSS employees.
He expressed optimism that the document could be completed the following week, emphasizing that the association wanted written commitments rather than verbal assurances.
Nyormui also called on government officials, lawmakers and journalists to visit MCSS schools Monday to monitor the resumption of academic activities.
He instructed teachers to prepare their weekly lesson plans and urged principals, administrators and supervisors to ensure normal instruction resumes across the system’s 26 schools.
While pressing for improved employee welfare, Nyormui commended the government for its anti-drug initiatives and renovation of some MCSS facilities but called for additional investment in public education.
Responding to a question from The Liberian Investigator about guarantees that the government would fulfill its commitments, Nyormui acknowledged that negotiations remained incomplete.
He said further administrative discussions were expected to conclude before the end of the following week, but he declined to disclose certain details as talks continued.
The association said it decided to resume classes in good faith and expects the government to show similar commitment by protecting employees from retaliation and addressing outstanding grievances.
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