-School Teachers, Principals on mission
Liberia’s Education Minister Prof. D. Ansu Sonii, Sr. and the senior leadership team have begun a nationwide assessment tour of schools around the country.
The tour, which started in Western Liberia, will see senior officials of the Ministry visiting all 15 counties between now and April 13.
Also traveling with the senior Education Ministry officials are representatives of the Principal’s Association of Liberia and the National Teachers’ Association of Liberia.
The goal will be to assess school infrastructure and determine the needs and priorities of teachers, parents, and students, an Education Ministry press release said on Wednesday.
The tour will also inform the implementation of the ministry’s policy priorities.
Following his confirmation, Minister Sonii on March 1, 2018 disclosed several plans they would execute to strengthen the country’s messy educational sector.
Some of the tough measures, which have already been instituted by the ministry include the licensing of teachers, re-introduction of civics in the national curriculum, and the drafting of law to establish an academic crime court to prosecute individuals involved in what its term as academic crimes.
Explaining the new policies at a news conference on Thursday, Education Minister, Prof. D. Ansu Sonii, Sr. said the new team at the ministry has resolved that all teachers be licensed by the Ministry of Education.
He said teachers would be evaluated through examinations to determine whether they are qualified to serve as teachers.
The Ministry of Education, Minister Sonii, will not consider degrees and certificates from teacher training institute across the country as a basis for licensing of teachers; because they are papers obtained to teach, which doesn’t make them teachers.
The Education Ministery officials’ nationwide tour is expected to take them to schools and communities in Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, and Gbarpolu.
The Deputy Minister for Administration, Latim Da-Thong, will tour schools in Margibi, Lofa, and Bong.
Alexander Duopo, the Deputy Minister for Instruction, will visit schools in Grand Bassa, River Cess, Sinoe, and Grand Kru. Schools in Grand Gedeh, Nimba, River Gee, and Maryland will be visited by the Deputy Minister for Planning, Research and Development, Alton V. Kesselly, an Education Ministry press release says.