The superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) Benjamin Jacobs has clarified that he is not carrying fake degrees as it has been alleged by some aggrieved teachers of the MCSSS.
Jacobs earned a bachelor’s degree in Educational Administration in 1996 from Milton Margai College of Education in Sierra Leone and Master of Science degree in Education in 2009 from the St. Joseph University in the United States, according to his curriculum vitae.
In an interview with reporters Tuesday at the MCSS headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia, Jacobs said the allegation against him was an act of reprisal and detraction.
“I say they are all detractors. Even the man in the front of the allegation has been dismissed by the MCSS for his unruly behaviors to school authorities so he just wants to say things against me to have me distracted from what is good for our School System,” Mr. Jacobs said.
According to him, teachers calling for his removal have gone to the Minister of Education with their petition and were told that he was qualified for the post.
This time they have gone to the House of Representatives. And I presented my credentials to the House of Senate after which I was awarded the job to serve as Superintendent for the Monrovia Consolidated School System. They are just wasting their time to attack my education because I know I am qualified for this position.”
Displaying his degrees to the press, the MCSS Superintendent said he was only obligated to give his credentials to his employers or institutions of higher learning, not to a group of individuals.
“If they are saying I presented fake degrees, let them present the photocopy of those fake documents I give them.”
Jacobs has a history of being criticized since becoming Superintendent for the MCSS. In 2011, he was attacked by some teachers over his qualification, a rigmarole that lasted for months.
This time, the petitioners are calling on the Legislature to conduct a probe into his academic records and thereafter have him removed as Superintendent of the MCSS.