As Education Ministry Officially Launch Distribution To 26 Edu Districts
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Ministry of Education has officially launched the distribution of civics books to faith-based and private schools in the 26 education districts in Montserrado County.
This coincides with the recent re-introduction of the teaching of civics into Liberian school curriculum, something that has been absent since the bloody military coup on April 12, 1980 in this West African state,
Speaking at the launching ceremony held in Monrovia’s Paynesville suburb days ago, Education Minister, Dr. Ansu Sonii said the civics books are intended to teach children about their roles and their responsibilities in their country.
Felicia Doe-Somah, Mary Nyumah, Dr. Ansu Sonii, Comfort Sawyer & Sen. Company Wesseh
Dr. Sonii thanked Dr. Amos Sawyers’ family for writing the book but expressed regret that he couldn’t live to see the launching of the civic books.
According to him, the President of Liberia, George Weah is pleased by the re-introduction of civics in Liberian schools, which was stopped following the 1980 military coup.
He added that these books need to make impact on the students but regrettably, they are for first to sixth grade and the ones from seventh to 12th grades are being developed because they will take you what it to be a good citizen.
“Citizenship is endowed but it goes with so many responsibilities.” Minister said; adding: “regrettably, this is the missing link of citizenship in this part of the world.”
“This country is ours and we own it,” he went on, “when you it, you care for it, when own it, you preserve it and when you own it, you respect it.”
He encouraged the students to read the books so as to live in accordance to the directives and informed the private and faith-based schools that this is part of government subsidies.
“We may not be able to supply all the students now because there are 500,000 students in elementary students in the country presently; it may not be much, but impact will be much.”
Performing the launching of the civic books, the widow of Dr. Amos Sawyer, Mrs. Comfort Sawyer, who is currently the Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said it was the dream of the late Dr. Sawyer to reconnect the youths to their responsibilities in the country.
According to her, Dr. Sawyer set up an organization known as WAHALA to publish more civic books for junior and senior high school students in the country.
“When my husband was writing these books, I will wake up sometimes three or four in the morning and he will be writing until six in the morning, and when I asked him to rest; he will reply that he will not rest because he warns to restore citizens responsibility and that he will rest when he is called to rest.”
She described the late Dr. sawyer as visionary, because he knew that civics is needed to be taught in Liberian schools so as to bring the youths knowing well about their country.
In remarks, the Senator of River Gee County, Company Wesseh thanked Dr. Sawyer, who taught them at the University of Liberia.
According to him, Dr. Sawyer was extraordinary person and anyone who wanted Liberian youth to know what is missing link.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Center of Excellence for Curriculum Development and Textbook Research, Julia Sandiman-Gbeyai, described the launching of the books as a turning point because it marked the re-introduction of competence-based curriculum , in which holistic skills development will play a center role.
According to her, the books will help broaden the minds and scope of learners capacities in knowing their rights and responsibilities.
“As we are moving towards electioneering period,” she went on, civic knowledge in classroom and outside will plays the greater role and fore-sight in helping our electorates to make sound and relevant decisions.
During the program four students who expressed their interest in the teaching profession were awarded scholarships by the Ministry of Education
The program was graced by students of from various institutions, representatives of the National Parent Teachers Association, Mary Nyumah, President of the National Teachers Association of Liberia, the Principal Association of Liberia.