-Despite CDC Government’s mandate
By William Selmah,wselmah@gmail.com
As street protest hits Monrovia on Monday, schools in the Liberian capital its environs failed to reopen, despite an Education Ministry mandate for the resumption of classes.
The Ministry of Education has earlier announced that after the Christmas and New Year Holiday, schools in the country should resume classes but, could not do so owing largely to the Monday protest by the Council of Patriots (COP) pressure group.
The CoP has consistently demanded the George Weah administration should exert efforts to address key pressing issues affecting the country including harsh economic conditions and alleged widespread corruption in government.
Some of the institutions and schools visited in the Paynesville and Sinkor areas were the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran School, William Booth, George Toe Washington, Nathan E. Gibson and Paynesville Community.
Others include SDA High School in Paynesville, William V.S. Tubman High and J.J. Roberts Schools in the Sinko suburb of Monrovia.
As a way precautionary measures, many parents kept their children from venturing outdoor in apparent fear of students being caught up in any standoff between protestors and the security forces.
While school doors are entirely shut, business houses and petty traders especially in the commercial district of Paynesville are operating as usual, despite stores and shops opening later than normal.
“I brought few sneakers and shoes out early this morning, put them on my table and started watching how things will be,” Nathan Karwee, a retail dealer in used shoes and sneakers told the New Public Trust.com.
“As soon I saw that there’s no threat, I brought all my goods outside,” Karwee said while dusting the items.
One of the parties that had earlier backed the protest late Sunday evening called on partisans to distance themselves from the protest today.
The Unity Party Chairman Wilmot Paye said he was not sure what may happen and that there action should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness.
Mr. Paye advised all of its partisans to keep off the streets and monitor the developments from home.