By Fiona Benson
For their reported failure to pay the newly employed teachers, the Plenary of the House of Representatives has cited heads of two ministries and one agency.
Those invited to explain why the teachers have remained unpaid are the ministers of Education, Finance, and head of the Civil Service Agency (CSA).
The trio are expected to appear on Thursday, November 6, to address the continued commonness of the volunteer teachers, who have worked over the years.
Some of the ‘unpaid teachers’ are assigned in Nmba and River Gee counties, where the majority of them reportedly work without government employment status.
The decision was reached on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, during the regular sitting that marked the 5th day of the 3rd Quarter of the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature.
The plenary action was triggered by a formal communication from River Gee County Electoral District #2 Representative, Isaac Choloplay Wuo, who petitioned the august body to summon the Education Minister to explain the situation regarding the “unpaid teachers.”
In his communication, Rep. Wuo described the condition as “alarming and detrimental to our children rights to education.”
He said approximately 60 percent of public-school teachers in River Gee County remain volunteers, with only a few being placed on government’s payroll.
Rep. Wuo highlighted several examples illustrating the gravity of the problem to include Tartuken Public School where nine teachers, including the principal are volunteers.
The Juwelpo Public School; eight teachers, including the principal; all are volunteers; Paroken Public School, nine teachers with one on government payroll. The teacher is currently on study leave in Harper, Maryland County; Kuwor Memorial Institute (KMI) with 11 teachers; only two are on payroll, while nine serve as volunteers and the Dweh Memorial Public School with seven teachers, all volunteers, including the principal.
Rep. Wuo said this widespread reliance on volunteer teachers not only discourages qualified educators, but also undermines the delivery of quality education in remote areas.
He meanwhile, called for urgent government intervention to regularize the status of volunteer teachers, and ensure fair compensation for their services.
Following a lengthy debate on the floor, where lawmakers described the situation as an affront to the country education system.
On this backdrop, House Plenary agreed that the Minister of Education must to provide a detailed explanation on the challenges leading to the prolonged situation, and outline concrete steps to address the situation.
The trio are expected to appear before the plenary in the coming days to provide updates and recommendations on the way forward.