Education is Everybody’s Business
The Coordinator of the Liberia Education Advancement Program (LEAP) at the Ministry of Education (MOE), Abraham Dagher, says that education is everybody’s business and not just that of the government alone.
Mr. Dagher highlighted that when it comes to the provision of quality education, it should be a concerted effort for everyone.
He made these remarks recently in Marshall, Margibi County, at an official program marking the grand opening and taking over of the John Payne Mitchell Public School by Bridge Liberia.
The takeover of said public school in Marshall is the latest addition among the 179 public schools allotted to Bridge Liberia to manage and support.
Mr. Dagher said, “Education is everybody’s business and not just the Ministry of Education alone. For us at the Ministry, we set policies and these policies, we also want parents to take them and make sure that they are translated into learning and ensure they are transformed into an integral part of our students’ learning activities.”
According to him, the Ministry sets policies while education officers implement those policies as well as help transform the Liberia’s educational system.
“We all know there are a lot of challenges, including the civil war, Ebola and the recent Covid-19, all of which helped to affect our education system, which led to the closing of schools. And Bridge has come along with other partners to support the MOE by ensuring that we provide quality education to our students.”
Speaking about the current partnership, the LEAP Coordinator at the MOE, said the government will work closely with Bridge Liberia to ensure that they continue to do what they promised Liberians, and “we have seen the positive results from them after five years by demonstrating through learning gain and we are seeing it.
Future of education in Liberia
While canvassing for a partnership between the Government of Liberia and Bridge towards moving and supporting the country’s educational sector forward, Mr. Dagher therefore, challenged everyone to work collectively and unite to ensure that Liberians get the requisite education they so desire.
He said, “We at the Ministry of Education have joined hands with our partner, Bridge Liberia, to help us in this regard to improve learning in our country. We want to say a special ‘thank you’ to Bridge Liberia for coming to support us to ensure that we change the paradigm of learning in Liberia.”
Earlier, Bridge Liberia Managing Director, Gbovadeh Gbilia lauded the government through the Ministry of Education and stakeholders for working with them over years.
Mr. Gbilia said working with the Ministry, especially under the administration of Professor Ansu D. Sonii as Minister, was not a mistake because the partnership is yielding a good result.
He added that taking over the John Payne Mitchell Public School was a high honor and they want to ensure that the future of Liberia’ children is very bright.
“This is an opportunity for us to say thank you to the parents for all you do for them by sending them to school, feeding and bringing them up the right way to be a better person in society,” said Mr. Gbilia amid a round of applause.
For her part, Elfreda Norbia, Principal of the John Payne Mitchell Public School, also acknowledged the MOE and Bridge Liberia for the support of education importance.
Madam Norbia described the takeover of the school by Bridge Liberia as a critical moment and turning point for education in Liberia, where Bridge is ready to change everything.
She said, “Everyone needs to play a role. Bridge Liberia supports the MOE to significantly improve learning and teaching public schools by providing a better future for Liberians. We are delighted for Bridge to be working with our school and it is time for parents to foster quality and sound education for our children.”
Remarks were made by the president of the Federation of Liberian Youth , Mr. Amos Williams, Margibi County Education Officer (CEO), Montserrado County CEO, students and host families and friends, respectively.
