The Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), James Momoh, has spoken out forcefully in his defense, dismissing accusations of corruption as baseless and politically motivated.
Momoh’s self-defensive comment came amidst swirl of allegations of financial impropriety he instituted in the system.
At a press conference held on Wednesday at the MCSS headquarters in Monrovia, Mr. Momoh described the allegations as “unfounded, misleading and a direct attempt to derail the progress being made in the education sector.”
“These accusations are completely baseless and only serve to damage my character and undermine the hard work of our administration,” he said.
“I remain fully committed to transparency, accountability and the delivery of quality education for all students under the MCSS.”
The allegations are said to originate from unnamed insiders within the system suggest financial offensiveness, irregularities under Momoh’s leadership, including the alleged misappropriation of US$1.6 million intended for classroom furniture and laboratory equipment.
Additionally, claims surfaced that medical insurance funds for students were siphoned into a private account for personal use, allegedly to purchase a vehicle.
However, Momoh categorically denied the claims and challenged those behind them to present evidence through appropriate legal and investigative channels rather than spreading misinformation in the public sphere.
“Let it be clear,” he said, “I have not been contacted by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) or the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) regarding any financial investigation.
Anyone, including media outlets and talk show hosts, must fact-check before making defamatory statements.”
Momoh also addressed a controversial student insurance policy, clarifying that the insurance program, operated in partnership with Sky Insurance Company, has existed long before his appointment.
He said under his administration, all related payments are now processed directly through MCSS’s institutional account, eliminating any possibility of personal dealings or misconduct.
In a show of support, the MCSS Principals’ Association released a statement denouncing the allegations, stating that the insurance program currently covers 17,565 students, but not 100,000 as claimed in some reports.
The Association further explained that all Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) funds are deposited into official MCSS accounts and that all insurance agreements are co-signed by the PTA, school principals and the superintendent.
“No MCSS official has been summoned by the LACC or FIU regarding this matter,” the statement noted.
Mr. Momoh used the platform to highlight the accomplishments of his administration, including the introduction of whiteboards in all classrooms and the ongoing rollout of a “one student, one chair” initiative aimed at improving learning conditions.
He credited President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration for its dedication to education reform.
In response to recent media comments regarding the existence of “ghost” volunteers within MCSS, Momoh said the Civil Service Agency (CSA) and the MCSS verification team are actively confirming the presence of all volunteers across the school system.
The MCSS administration also clarified its scholarship program procedures, noting that funds are being used as intended to enhance student access to quality education and promote capacity-building.
Payments to partner universities, Momoh said, are made following proper documentation and oversight.
This development comes at a critical time for public confidence in the country’s educational institutions.
While the accusations have sparked public debate, Momoh’s detailed response and the backing of the MCSS leadership appear aimed at restoring trust and redirecting focus to improving student outcomes.
As the story continues to unfold, education stakeholders and the general public await any formal inquiry from relevant anti-graft institutions.
In the meantime, the MCSS leadership has called for unity and a commitment to transforming the school system into a model of transparency and excellence.
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