Liberia

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Liberia in a nutshell

Source : http://www.cia.gov

Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2008 Census, the nation is home to 3,476,608 people and covers 111,369 square kilometres (43,000 sq mi).

Its capital is Monrovia. Liberia has a hot equatorial climate with most rainfall arriving in summer with harsh harmattan winds in the dry season. Liberia's populated Pepper Coast is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the sparsely populated inland is forested, later opening to a plateau of drier grasslands.

The history of Liberia is unique among African nations, notably because of its relationship with the United States. It is one of the few countries in Africa, and the only country in West Africa, without roots in the European Scramble for Africa. Founded as a colony by the American Colonization Society in 1821-22, it was created as a place for slaves freed in the United States to emigrate to in Africa, on the premise they would have greater freedom and equality there.

Slaves freed from slave ships also were sent there instead of being repatriated to their countries of origin. These freed slaves formed an elite group in Liberian society, and, in 1847, they founded the Republic of Liberia, establishing a government modeled on that of the United States, naming Monrovia, their capital city, after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States and a prominent supporter of the colonization.

A military-led coup in 1980, overthrew then-president William R. Tolbert, which marked the beginning of a period of instability that eventually led to a civil war that left hundreds of thousands of people dead and devastated the country's economy. Today, Liberia is recovering from the lingering effects of the civil war and related economic dislocation.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberia

Education in Liberia

In 2009, the literacy rate of Liberia was estimated at 59.1% (63.7% for males and 54.5% for females). Primary and secondary education is free and compulsory from the ages of 6-16, though enforcement of attendance is lax. On average, children attain 10 years of education (11 for boys and 8 for girls). The country's education sector is hampered by inadequate schools and supplies, as well as a lack of qualified teachers. (1)

Schools in Liberia

• Kindergarten/pre-primary

Due to the lack of schools within the rural areas of the country, most of this education process is carried out in the Monrovia between the ages of 3 to 6. During this period the little students are taught how to identify letters and read.

• Primary/Elementary School

There are many of these schools almost through out the country but with very few within the rural areas and the greater number within the Monrovia areas and surrounding communities. At this level students from grades 1 to 6 learn basic reading, English, arithmetic, general science and bible.

• Junior High School

Most of the junior high schools are found in Monrovia except those of the church missions and very few government or public schools. All schools through out the country are under the Ministry of Education, which has the responsibility to regulate quality education to students in the country. During this level students are induced to the basic concepts of algebra, geometry, geography, physical science and chemistry.

• Senior High Schools

About 98% of the senior high schools are in Monrovia and the others within the rural areas of the country. In the senior high school level students are prepared for universities and learned the second editions to subjects taught during the years of junior high. Students are also allowed to sit for the West African Exams if they are successful. (6)

One of the greatest challenges in Liberian education is the ailing school infrastructure. An estimated 50 per cent or more of Liberia’s schools were destroyed in the civil war, which ended in 2003. Adding to the stress on the school system is the poor quality of instruction; some 60 per cent of teachers have never received proper training. (3)

The entire school system in Liberia is still in a severe crisis, with few teachers, almost no text books, no equipment for laboratories, libraries or workshops. Teachers' salaries are extremely low, and the student fees high compared to most families' income. The teacher salaries in Liberia have led to a situation where literally no-one would like to study in a teachers training college. (4)

Further and Higher education

Universities in Liberia

Both public and private universities and colleges are attended by university students. Private universities are popular among Liberian students and families who can afford tutition. Private universities often provide better quality education, access to technology, well staffed libraries and on campus transportation for students and university staff. As with the rest of Liberian educational institutions after civil war, Liberian universities are currently being reconstructed and funded to provide all students with equal access to classes, studies, technology and education.

Public University

1. University of Liberia, Monrovia, Africa's oldest non-European institute of Higher Learning
2. William V.S. Tubman University, Cape Palmas, formerly William V.S. Tubman College of Technology
3. Stella Maris Polytechnic

Private University

1. Cuttington University, Suacoco, oldest private and coeducation university in Africa
2. A.M.E. Zion University, Monrovia
3. United Methodist University, Monrovia
4. Booker T. Washington Institute, Kakata

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Liberia

Education reform

Schools

In 2007, at a Unicef hosted event, the Liberian Minister for Education, Mr. Korto presented Liberia’s priorities for education recovery in the post-conflict era. The plan aimed to build a solid foundation for educational growth over the next five years. Its central focus was the improvement of school quality through teacher training and the provision of materials such as textbooks, desks and chairs. Mr. Korto said the Ministry of Education will focus on several other critical areas as well, including:

• Expanding enrolment in primary and secondary schools

• Sustaining a national accelerated learning programme for children who have never been to school because of the war

• Building more schools, particularly in poor and disadvantaged areas. (3)

Administration and finance

Schools

The majority of Liberian students attend public schools, which are financed and operated by the government. All components of public education are administered by the largely centralized Ministry of Education. This statement does not negate the fact that there are Education Ministry county overseers of public education identified as Chief Education Officers (CEOs). (2)

Quality assurance

Schools

Liberia is a member of the West African Examinations Council, an organisation for the setting up of a regional examining board to harmonise and standardise pre-university assessment procedures in former British West Africa. The main objectives of the Council are:

1. To conduct examinations in the public interest
2. To award certificates, provided that the certificates did not represent lower standards of attainment than equivalent certificates of examining authorities in the United Kingdom. (5)

ICT in education initiatives

Virtual initiatives in schools

• The Liberia Virtual School is a partnership program between the World Virtual School of Cordova, Illinois in the United States, and the TVET (Technical and Vocational, Educational and Training) Organization of Liberia, sponsored by Yonton Kessely who has worked for many years with the Ministry of Education. Two of the programs that the Liberia Virtual School would like to fund are "Youth At Risk!" and the "Hidden Dropout Program" to assist young people in Liberia in acheiving their dreams and their goals of a 21st Century education. Students may enroll free of charge for any courses offered by the World Virtual School by browsing the catalog and then filling out the Enrollment Form. All courses are taught in English, but can be translated into local languages, if necessary. http://www.world-virtual-school.com/africa/africawest/liberiavs.html

References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberia#Culture

2. Liberia: Public Education System Reform (Commentary) by Emmanuel Dolo Ph.D. http://www.theliberianjournal.com/index.php?st=news&sbst=details&rid=990

3. Unicef report http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/liberia_38362.html

4. Review by Norwegian Missions in Development http://www.norad.no/en/Tools+and+publications/Publications/Publication+Page?key=117434

5. West African Examinations Council Liberia http://www.liberiawaec.org/

6. Szeged University Library profile on Liberian Education System http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas_adsec/liberia.htm

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