By Wilmot Konah—Legislative Reporter
Monrovia – The House of Representatives has summoned Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah to appear before plenary on Tuesday, June 23, to provide answers regarding concerns over the low salaries and benefits being paid to District Education Officers (DEOs) across Liberia.
Lawmakers say the current compensation package for DEOs is inadequate and could be undermining efforts to improve educational standards, particularly in rural communities where district officers play a critical role in monitoring and supervising schools.
The decision was reached during Thursday’s sitting following a communication submitted by Nimba County Electoral District #5 Representative Kortor S. Kwagrue, who urged the House to investigate complaints raised by DEOs concerning their salaries and welfare benefits.
According to Rep. Kwagrue, DEOs currently earn approximately US$390 per month, a figure he described as significantly lower than what education administrators performing similar duties receive in neighboring countries within the West African sub-region.
The Nimba lawmaker told his colleagues that several DEOs had approached him seeking legislative intervention to address what they termed longstanding disparities in compensation and benefits. He argued that the low salaries have placed considerable financial pressure on district education officers, many of whom are responsible for overseeing educational activities in some of the country’s most remote areas.
“These officers are entrusted with the responsibility of supervising schools, monitoring educational standards, and ensuring that government policies are effectively implemented at the district level,” Rep. Kwagrue noted. “However, their compensation does not reflect the importance of the work they do.”
Lawmakers expressed concern that inadequate remuneration may be affecting the effectiveness of DEOs, limiting their ability to regularly visit schools, monitor teachers’ performance, and address challenges confronting students and administrators.
Several members of the House emphasized that strengthening Liberia’s education sector requires ensuring that key frontline education personnel are adequately motivated and supported.They noted that DEOs serve as vital links between the Ministry of Education and schools across the country, making their role essential to the successful implementation of educational programs and reforms.
The House’s decision to summon Minister Jallah is expected to provide lawmakers with a clearer understanding of the Ministry’s salary structure for district education officers, the challenges affecting compensation, and any plans being considered to improve their conditions of service.
The appearance of the Education Minister before plenary is also expected to spark broader discussions on workforce motivation within the education sector and the government’s commitment to improving educational outcomes nationwide.
District Education Officers are responsible for supervising public schools within their respective districts, monitoring compliance with ministry policies, evaluating school performance, and providing administrative support to school authorities.
The House of Representatives is expected to determine possible next steps after hearing from the Education Minister during Tuesday’s session.
