By: David Nuakolo Flomo Jr
0886836401/davidflomojr17@gmail.Com
The Chairperson of Bong County School Board Dr. Alfredson Taikerweyah has blasted at the Ministry of Education over its alleged failure to recognize the august body in the county.
In an opened presentation before educational stakeholders and CSO’s at a one day dialogue organized by ZOA in partnership with ANGIE BROOKS under the project titled “Contributions to reconciliation through enhanced co-existence, resilience and civic engagement and responsibility, Dr. Taikerweyah said, since the insertion of the new leadership of the Bong County School Board headed by him year ago, the Ministry of Education has been working in the Bong County School system without the involvement of the school board.
Dr. Taikerweya referenced his statement to the IRISE project that was awarded to some public schools in the county without the consent of the County School Board, the recent educational Secretariat dialogue that was held in Ganta City Nimba County which brought together several Educational stakeholders without representation of the Bong County School Board, the lack of budgetary allocation to smooth the operation of the Board; thus describing the action of the Ministry as a “total disrespect” to their leadership.
He at the same time alarmed the lack of coordination from the County Education Officer (CEO) Rev. Amah Varfee also as a major challenge to their workings in the school system.
“You can’t have us as school Board in this County School System then you can’t recognize us. How can we function? Due to the lack of recognition from the Ministry, the Bong County School Board is not functioning” he is quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alfredson Taikerweyah wants Bong county superintendent to retract a statement she made describing PHD Holders as very stupid people. It can be recalled months back, Bong county superintendent, Esther Y. Walker appeared as guest on Premium FM in Gbarnga to react to an audit report that was released by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) on the usage of Monies that were mismanaged during the November 12, 2018 County Council Sitting where she openly insulted educator on grounds that they are the ones causing problem for the county. “People say Education, Experience is higher than education. PHD Holders are very stupid, they have led this county to mess” she was heard speaking in her reaction.
This statement went viral on different Media outlets; thereby drawing the attention of Dr. Taikeryah to give a two week ultimatum to retract her statement and openly apologize to the world, threatening to take unspecified action but was ignored by the Superintendent.
Following this, the Liberian Educator said he wrote former communications addressed to the Ministries of Education and Internal Affairs for administrative action against Sup. Walker but he alleged that the CEO Amah Varfee refused to sign the letters for reasons best known to him; something according to Dr. Taikerweyah believes undermined the process.
Section 1.6 “C” of the 2011 Education Reform Act of Liberia calls for a Chairman refers to as the head of the education advisory Board and the head of school, the head of the school board of the counties, the Monrovia consolidated School System (MCSS) and boards of the private and faith based schools but Dr. Taikerweyah believes that this provision has been violated by the Education Ministry in Bong County by allegedly failing to recognize the Bong County School Board as enshrined in the act.
Bong TV is investigating allegations in this story and will come up with her findings soon.
