By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.om
As the fight against the COVID-19 continues in Liberia, the National Education Coalition of Liberia or NECOL is recommending to government a total lockdown in the virus affected counties, in order to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
The National Education Coalition of Liberia is a coalition of educational civil society organizations that supports education activities in the country.
According to NECOL, their recommendation is as a result of the wave of gross violations and compromise by both citizens and security personnel in the streets.
The group observed that since the fourteen days stay at home action by President Weah, markets, banks and the entire streets have all been crowded from 6am to 3pm in Monrovia with both the securities and citizens not observing the preventive measures especially the issue of social distancing.
Speaking earlier this week in the Paynesville suburb of Monrovia, NECOL National Chairman John Nyenpan Jr. noted that the unlawful actions by Liberians undermine the fight against the deadly coronavirus virus and the reasons which schools were ordered closed by government.
‘’We call you here today to express our concern and regret over the wave of gross violations and compromises in the implementation of the president policies and measures in the fighting and eradicating COVID-19,’’ Mr. Nyenpan explained.
Addressing a news conference, Mr, Nyenpan called on government particularly President weah to be sincere and stand firm in the enforcement of these policies in accordance with laws of Liberia.
He observed that the level of ineffectiveness in the enforcement of government policies under the State of Emergency is troubling and may create further problems in the country.
The group believed that that the longer the virus remains in the country, students will experience the most shock academically and be exposed to the virus and stand the risk of contracting it from their parents and guardians who are violating these guidelines and policies.
According to Nyenpan, the unlawful actions by parents and citizens, ‘’ we think undermine the reason schools were ordered closed’’.
The NECOL National Chairman called on President Weah to leave no stone unturned in the implementing these policies.
At the same time, the group has commended the Ministry of Education for the quick impact project, teaching by radio.
Mr. Nyenpan said the program has been effective since its inception but appeal to the Ministry of Education to go one step further to ensure that every student has some level of assignment while at home.
NECOL is also suggesting that the Ministry of Education informs all schools to prepare academic materials to be delivered to parents for their kids while observing all the safety measures announced by government of Liberia.
The National Education Coalition has however expressed gratitude to President Weah and the government for the policies announced on the 8th of April 2020.
‘’NECOL stands ready to buttress the work of government and its partners in monitoring and providing our minimal contributions through the implementation of project in the sincere fight against this virus,’’ Mr. Nyenpan concluded.