Sulunteh Rescues Bong Teachers

BONG – Liberia’s Posts and Telecommunications Minister, Jeremiah Sulunteh, has paid the salaries of 15 classroom teachers at Gweatamue Public School in Suakoko District, Bong County through a L$56,000 donation.

Making the disclosure to the Daily Observer two weeks ago in Gweatamue, Sulunteh said the amount was his personal donation to support the government’s educational initiatives in the country and that it covered a three-month salary arrear the community owed the teachers.

He disclosed that of the 15 teachers, only the principal is on the government’s payroll.

“It behooves us as community members to do something that will appeal to the emotion of these teachers who are preparing our future generation,” Sulunteh reasoned.

The Posts and Telecommunications Minister said the school needed US$4,000 each year to pay teachers’ salaries, adding that he was working with the relevant authorities to ensure that the teachers’ names were placed on the government’s payroll.

It can be recalled that teachers of the Gweatamue Public School last year threatened to lay down chalk in demand that their names be placed on the government’s payroll.

Gweatamue Public School, with 15 classroom teachers for its 534 students, is among 16 schools built across the country by DUJA Association, a Liberian-owned not-for-profit organization based in Sweden.

Sulunteh, who is also chairman of the Association, said DUJA was currently constructing a technical school in Johnsonville, Montserrado County.

The Postal Affairs Minister has, over the years, been involved in community development projects in the county, including a 12-mile self-help road project in Gbonakalasue.

In December 2009, Sulunteh donated assorted food items to various communities and institutions in the county including Phebe Hospital, Gbarnga Central Prison, the Liberia National Police and the community radio station, Radio Gbarnga.

Meanwhile, a Liberian based in the United States of America, Viola Smallwood, has donated an assortment of stationery to the Gweatamue Public School.

The donation, she said, was her way of identifying with the school and facilitating the government’s compulsory primary and education drive. She told the Daily Observer’ that the donation was in response to appeals made by the Posts and Telecommunications Minister to her family in the USA.

She concluded by calling on Liberians in the Diaspora to return and help rebuild their post-conflict nation.