Ganta, Nimba County – The County Schooling Officer (CEO) of Nimba County, Francis G. Leagay, has suspended Nya Taylor Guanue Sr., Principal of John Wesley Pearson Excessive College, following a commencement ceremony on Sunday at Liberia Worldwide Christian Faculty (LICC) the place 295 college students graduated.
By D. Franklin Doloquee
The suspension letter, issued by Mr. Leagay, alleges that Mr. Guanue approved the commencement of scholars who didn’t cross the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) public exams, violating the Ministry of Schooling Coverage.
“Your suspension is efficient instantly because of gross violation of the Ministry of Schooling’s Coverage Governing College Commencement Workout routines,’’
“It alleges that Mr. Guanue carried out a commencement permitting a number of college students who failed the (WAEC) assessments to graduate, contravening Web page 13 of the 2024/2025 Tutorial Calendar, which specifies commencement eligibility necessities for Grade 12 college students.’’
The letter additional claims his actions undermine the schooling system’s integrity, compromise educational requirements and show negligence in accordance with Web page 17 of the 2024 Code of Conduct for Lecturers and College Directors, particularly part 3.3 on pupil analysis.
Mr. Guanue is ordered to stop all official duties pending investigation and should submit a written clarification inside 72 hours to justify why additional disciplinary motion shouldn’t be taken
Principal Condemns Suspension as Witch Hunt
On Monday, October 27, Mr. Guanue condemned the suspension as a “malicious witch hunt” concentrating on his administration.
He accused CEO Leagay of private vendettas and mentioned this isn’t the primary try to take away him as principal.
He acknowledged that he submitted the listing of graduating college students 295 out of 450—to CEO Leagay for approval on Saturday morning earlier than the ceremony.
In line with Mr. Guanue, he obtained verbal consent to proceed however no written warning or discover of coverage violations previous to his suspension.
He vowed to attraction to the Ministry of Schooling, emphasizing his dedication to defending the college’s popularity and the scholars’ futures.
Political Undertones and Nepotism Claims
Native observers recommend the suspension is tied to political battle
Since Mr. Leagay turned CEO previously Principal of Sanniquellie Middle Excessive College, there have been accusations of concentrating on principals loyal to former President George Manneh Weah’s Administration.
In distinction, principals appointed throughout President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s Authorities are reportedly favored underneath Mr. Leagay’s management.
Allegations of nepotism lengthen past schooling into native authorities, safety and media sectors.
When contacted, CEO Leagay confirmed the suspension of Principal Guanue for allegedly graduating over 400 college students who didn’t cross within the simply ended public Examination.
In line with CEO Leagay, solely 20 college students that handed from John Wesley Pearson Excessive College not 295 as claimed by the college principal.
Critics accuse Superintendent Kou Meapeah Gono of selling nepotism, influencing group radios and native information shops divided between authorities loyalists and critics.
Media and Governance Challenges!
The media panorama in Nimba County is marked by political rigidity.
Round 20 group radios are allegedly on Superintendent Gono’s payroll, elevating issues over media independence.
Some media staff are accused of suppressing dissent and discouraging criticisms of officers.
Superintendent Gono, who manages massive county social improvement funds, has not accounted transparently for over US$4 Million allotted to native initiatives, fueling public frustration.
Safety Sector Politicization.
When contacted, Superintendent Gono couldn’t reached for feedback as much as press time.
The police power additionally faces accusations of politicization!
Since County Police Commander Larmie Mendin’s appointment, there have been allegations of energy misuse and dissatisfaction with officer reassignments, comparable to former Tappita Police Commander Eric Musa.
Residents and media callers accuse the police of serving political pursuits fairly than public security and neutral regulation enforcement. A number of textual content messages and telephone calls to police County Commander Mendin are but to responded to.
Schooling as a Political Battleground
The schooling sector, as soon as a impartial floor for improvement, is now entangled in Nimba County’s political struggles.
The suspension of John Wesley Pearson Excessive College’s Principal displays deeper conflicts affecting governance, media freedom and group belief.
Mr. Guanue’s struggle in opposition to his suspension highlights the pressing want for clear and truthful insurance policies that uphold pupil educational integrity and safeguard their futures.
