President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has informed the leadership of the Teachers Association of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) of government determination to improve the salaries of civil servants.

She said plans to improve the salaries of civil servants will take effect after the festive season.

President Sirleaf encouraged the teachers to always exercise patience as government is doing everything to improve their living standards.

Speaking at a meeting on Thursday with the leadership of the Teachers Association of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), the President informed them that the government has begun working out the modalities for the supply of water and electricity to public schools as part of efforts in addressing some of the concerns earlier raised by teachers.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader used the meeting to hand over the keys to a bus she personally repaired for the MCSS. The bus had not been operating for nearly three months, and had created difficulties for teachers in getting to class on time.

It can be recalled in October this year, President Sirleaf personally intervened in a teachers "go-slow" action that left classrooms empty for nearly two weeks, prompting students to take to the streets in protest.

In remarks, the President of the MCSS Council, Madam Ollie White, thanked the President for making teachers a top priority in administering Liberia, and described her intervention as a demonstration of motherliness.

Madam White also thanked the teachers for being patient as the President sought redress to their concerns, and she hoped that the patience, respect for authority and cooperation recently exhibited would always be the hallmark of their advocacy.

Speaking on behalf of the teachers, the President of the Association, Benedict S. Wreh, welcomed the initiative of President Sirleaf to supply water and electricity and rehabilitate school laboratories.

He said the initiative would directly benefit the students, and went beyond just advocating for salary increments.

The MCSS teachers' leadership requested the President to meet with them to discuss education matters, to which the President consented.