Tension erupted on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) when dozens of students from William V.S. Tubman High School staged a protest demanding the immediate release of their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results.
The demonstration, led by outgoing students, disrupted academic activities for a second straight day and resulted in the arrest of several students following the intervention of law enforcement officers.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the students called on the MCSS administration—particularly Superintendent Dr. Augurie Stevens—to intervene and ensure the release of their results so they could proceed to graduation.
They expressed anger that while private schools across Monrovia were holding graduation ceremonies, public school students remained in limbo.
> “The system has failed us,” said protest organiser Amara Danzo. “We completed our exams months ago, yet we are being denied our results. This is unjust.”
Danzo accused MCSS Assistant Superintendent Emmanuel Robertson of negligence and urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to dismiss him for “incompetence and poor leadership.”
In response, Robertson distanced the MCSS from blame, instead pointing fingers at WAEC Liberia for the prolonged delay.
> “I have no interest in holding students’ results,” he said. “It doesn’t fall within my purview. If I had the authority, the results would have been released by now.”
He further alleged that Darlington Smith, Deputy Director of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), had been interfering in MCSS affairs and inciting students to protest.
> “Mr. Smith has been undermining this institution, and his actions are destabilising the academic environment,” Robertson claimed.
The situation at Tubman High has been worsened by an ongoing administrative dispute following a leadership reshuffle, with the former principal reportedly refusing to hand over office keys to the newly appointed head.
Despite the unrest, Robertson assured the public that calm had been restored and normal academic activities would resume shortly.
“We remain committed to providing a stable learning environment for all students,” he said.
As the standoff continues, public attention has shifted to WAEC Liberia and the Ministry of Education, with calls for swift intervention to ensure that affected students are not left behind.
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