MONROVIA, Liberia – Some teachers and principals of Montserrado’s District ten have been honored by their Representative Julius F. Berrian for their tireless fight against the deadly Ebola virus that broke out in 2014.

According to Berrian, more than 700 teachers and principals of the district helped in the fight against the virus. Berrian provided the teachers with a certificate of appreciation and an amount of L$102,000 (US$1,160) at the Monrovia Open Bible Standard School on Oct. 24.

“These teachers and principals were in the vanguard making sure that the Liberian children received a quality education in the midst of the disease by conducting tutorial classes,” Berrian said.

The representative stressed that teachers were not being paid for leading these classes, noting “most of the tutorial classes were being organized on a sacrificial basis, intended to keep the children on track [with] their lessons.”

Rep. Julius F. Berrian speaks to journalists. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Berrian further recollected that Liberians were confused amid the outbreak, stressing “the effect of the deadly virus cannot be over-emphasized.”

“While lawmakers were there trying to intervene in the situation, the teachers and principals were playing a significant role,” Berrian noted.

He said that as representative of the district, his conscious would not allow him not to show his appreciation for the educators’ efforts, now that the country has been declared Ebola free.

Representative Julius F. Berrian presents a Certificate of appreciation to Amos T. Warner. Photo: Zeze Ballah

“We have come to salute you all today for your immense efforts in fighting the deadly virus out of Liberia.” He said. “The old adage says give a man his flowers while he is still alive.”

He said teachers and principals are the best people to work with to make District 10 the best among the 73 districts.

Berrian added that he would help in the area of getting scholarships for teachers in his district to help them prepare for the challenges in classrooms.

Speaking on behalf of the colleagues, Amos T. Warner, President-elect of the District 10 Education Workers Union, said they were gratified to be recognized for their efforts.

He applauded the Liberia National Red Cross for providing Ebola awareness training to teachers in the district. According to him, the Red Cross provided teachers with the knowledge to engage their respective communities with an awareness campaign.

Teta Karzone, a teacher at the Christian Successful School in Congo Town, said although the amount given to the educators was to compliment them for their efforts in the Ebola fight, it was insufficient. However, she was appreciative of Representative Berrian for remembering them after the Ebola crisis.

Teta Karzone, a teacher at the Christian Successful School. Photo: Zeze Ballah

“Our lives were at risk while in the field spreading the Ebola awareness messages and thought that each teacher and principal was going to receive US$100 and above,” Karzone said.

Jonathan S. Kebbie, another teacher at the Christ the King Catholic School in Congo Town, also said he appreciated the initiative undertaken by Representative Berrian.

Jonathan S. Kebbie, a teacher at the Christ the King Catholic School. Photo: Zeze Ballah

“The honoring program is a clear manifestation that indeed Representative Berrian recognized our efforts in the fight against the deadly virus,” Kebbie noted.

More than 4000 Liberians died from the deadly Ebola virus disease that ravaged the three Mano River Union countries namely Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

A previous version of this article stated the amount donated by Rep. Berrian as L$12,000. The article has been corrected to state L$102,000.