Liberia: Education Minister Jallah Accused of Violating Education Law in Appointing County Education Officers - FrontPageAfrica
Source: Front Page Africa
Monrovia -- FrontPage Africa has gathered a startling revelation on Education Minister, Dr. Jarso M. Jallah, reported involvement in circumventing the country's Education Reform Act of 2011 by taking away the legal authority from the County Education Board to recruit and nominate County Education Officers for possible appointment by the Minister of Education.
Chapter 6.2.4. of the Liberia New Education Reform Act of 2011 grants the County Local School Boards the sole authority to recruit County Education Officers (CEOs) on a competitive-merit basis and nominate for official appointments by the minister -- in line with rules, regulations, and qualification criteria set by the Ministry of Education.
About the tenure of CEOs, the Law states, "County Education Officers shall serve for four (4) years and shall be eligible for appointment for the second four (4) years period; provided that no County Education Officer shall serve for more than two consecutive terms in the same county".
These statutes, FrontPage Africa has learned, have all been violated by Minster Jallah who recently issued a directive on April 22, 2024, through the Deputy Minister of Education Hon. Amos A. Fully mandating all 16 County Education Officers (CEOs) across Liberia to re-apply for their various positions through the deputy minister office in blatant disregards to the Local County Education Boards.
"By directive of the Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso M. Jallah, we are pleased to extend compliment and herewith ask all County Education Officers to re-apply for their various positions. Applicants are asked to submit their applications along with their resume and all related academic credentials to the Office of the Deputy Minister for Instruction on or before May 6, 2024," The memorandum stated.
However, Minister Jallah's move has drawn sharp reactions from education stakeholders in the country as many of them who spoke with FPA and wished to remain anonymous asserted that the Minister has blatantly disregarded the country's Education Reform Act of 2011 by mandating all 16 CEOs, including CEOs whose four years tenures are yet to expire, to reapply for their positions directly under her jurisdiction.
"The Liberia New Education Reform Act of 2011 was legislated to ensure transparency and accountability, decentralized the nation's education authority and bring about fairness in the appointment process of key education at the level of the county. By sidestepping this law, Minister Jallah has raised concerns about the integrity of the educational system and the respect for the rule of law under her watch," a faith-based school principal in Margibi County said.
Critics argue that such unilateral action undermines the authority of the local school boards, which they say the board member's involvement in the running of local school systems in their respective counties is crucial in representing the greater interest of their communities.
The educational stakeholders noted that the centralization of education appointments brings about fears of potential political interference and favoritism, which could compromise the quality of education and erode public trust in the system.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Minister Jallah's action has now triggered broader concerns about governance, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in Liberia under the Boakia-led government. As the debate intensifies, all eyes are now on the Minister of Education to see whether she will address the citizens' concerns by amending her early missteps to reassure the people of Liberia and partners of the ministry's readiness to uphold the rule of law.