MOE Employees Lament Transfer Procedure

Employees of the Ministry of Education have warned against the transfer of staff as a punitive measure. The employees through their newly elected corps of officers have cautioned authorities at the ministry that staff transfer should be done to enhance productivity rather than as a means of punishment.

Speaking at an induction program, the Chairman of the Ministry of Education Central Office Workers Association (MOECOWA) Patrick Davies, said staff should be transferred to an area where his impact can be felt. Davies noted that ongoing staff transfer at the ministry appear to be headed in the wrong direction, adding some transfers are placing square pegs in touch holes.

He in the process, interests are being mismatched, something that could affect productivity at the ministry. The MOECOWA Chairman said the act has created a feeling of intimidation and fear among the employees, and there is a general anxiety and indisposition to immediate transfer.

“It has been found that employees’ commitment to their jobs, their motivation, productivity and retention depend on whether they are truly interested in the jobs assigned to them,” he emphasized.

He also called for a revisit on the pension process of employees, saying the way the process has been carried out for over three decades was not proper as some employees usually do not reach pension age, but are pensioned. Meanwhile, those inducted in office include, Patrick Davies, Chairman; Preeta Sonpon, Co-chair; Duke Fahnbulleh, Secretary General and Abraham Sesay, Chaplain.

Delivering the keynote address during the ceremony, Lonestar Cell MTN Chief Cooperate Communication Consultant Dr. Laurence Bropleh, challenged the new leadership to be human- center in executing its duties.

He emphasized selfless leadership among the workforce, adding discriminatory attitude should not overshadow the works of employees. Bropleh, a former Information Minister, said Liberia needs a kind of leadership that would seek the welfare of all Liberians.

In remarks, Education Minister Etmonia Tarpeh, assured the employees that their rights will be protected as long as they do those things that are right. Minister Tarpeh, who transitioned from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to Education, said she believes in handling issues professionally, and called on the employees to be professional in putting forth their concerns.

She then urged the employees to go beyond their work places to advocate for students in various schools, who do not have voice to speak, while encouraging school authorities to attract more females into the teaching profession to avoid them getting pregnant and dropping out of school..