MOE retires 275 employees

The Ministry of Education or MOE has retired 275 employees following prolonged services to the Ministry, and the government at large. The retirees served the Ministry in various capacities for over 40 years.

Civil Service Agency’s regulation requires each civil servant to serve for 25 years or attain the age 60 to qualify for retirement. Speaking at the Ministry in Sinkor, Monrovia on Wednesday, 29 March during the honoring program, Assistant Minister for Basic Education and Secretariat, Felicia Sackey Doe Sumah told the retirees not to look down on themselves as the ceremony was meant to recognize their contributions towards transformation of the educational sector.

“This must be a happy moment for every one of you, for serving your country this number of years without being dismissed for wrong doing, I think it is a pride, but in the case where you’ve been asked to retire because of your involvement in certain unscrupulous things is what is shameful”, she remarked.

Madam Sumah encouraged the honorees that retirement should not mean an end to their lives, but a transition from one stage of life to another, saying “your leaving this Ministry is in recognition of the process that says once you served for certain length of time, it is against that mandate that you are being retired.

She said Liberia needs good road models whom the next generation would emulate, saying the young people of this country are looking up to you for guidance, and the decision you will take after this retirement process is what our future generation will look at.”

The Deputy Director General of the Civil Service Agency or CSA Mrs. Wannie Clarke Reeves expressed gratitude to the retirees for serving the country diligently in various positions, and assured them that the CSA will work to ensure they receive lump sum retirement packages.

“The CSA would like to recognize the immense contribution of the retirees to the development of our country over the past years; you have served the Ministry of Education with hard work, and commitment to the institution” Madam Reeves pointed out that the Government of Liberia appreciates and commends the retirees for the many sacrifices and contributions they made throughout their careers in service.

“As a mark of appreciation of your service, you will a well-deserved sump sum package commensurate with your tenure. This is due to the courtesy of the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. In addition to your lump sum package you will also receive a monthly pension benefit as well. You will a social security benefit from the National Social Security Corporation upon reaching the age of 60”, the deputy CSA boss explained.

By Lewis S. Teh-Editing by Jonathan Browne