PHOTO: Some stakeholders at the virtual workshop
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
Education stakeholders from the United Nations Scientific and Curltural Organization (UNESCO) in Liberia, Nigeria and Senegal have been meeting to help improve and transform the education sector in Liberia.
The three-day virtual mission workshop for education sector analysis brought together, which ended last Thursday, May 20, 2021, was organized by Liberia’s Ministry of Education in collaboration with UNESCO for education sector analysis in Monrovia, Liberia.
Education sector analysis (ESA) is critically important for the preparation of strong education sector strategies and plans. It provides the evidence basis for policy dialogue and the analysis of policy options to inform decisions. Education systems are complex, composed of many inter-related functions, a range of actors within government with different roles and responsibilities and other partners.
Several topics were discussed during the event including the Sociodemographic, macroeconomic and fragility context, Quality of learning and management of teaching resources in the education system, Enrolments patterns, internal efficiency, quality in TVET and Higher education, Governance and institutional analysis, functioning and effectiveness of educational administration.
Speaking at the climax of the workshop held at a local hotel in Monrovia, Liberia’s Education Minister, Professor Ansu Sonii thanked UNESCO and Global Partnership for promoting education in the region.
Prof. Ansu Sonii
Prof. Sonii stressed the need for change and proper planning for human development in the education sector for the future generation.
According to him, Liberia need to have a complete transformation in the next five years with the political will which he describe as the foundation for all sector.
“This government that I know and this President George Weah is to bring the change which he is doing since his election and we will commit ourselves even more to ensure that our will to make it happen as government,’’ the Liberian Education Minister said.
He observed that the government most especially officials within the education sector have the responsibility to create a foundation of education for the future generation that after them, the future generation can build on.
‘’If we do not think critically and do these things that are transformable, these things that will positively change the education sector like it used to be before, we will not get there,’’ Prof. Sonii explained.
He noted that they have a global responsibility to ensure that the people of tomorrow are prepared for their future with a change that is coming.
In remarks, the Officer-In-Charge of UNESCO Abuja Regional Office Mamadou Lamine Sow thanked Liberia Education Minister Ansu Sonii and all deputies for their work in transforming the education in Liberia.
‘’It is a privilege for UNESCO in Abuja to be part of this process and our ability to technically work with you ensure quality assurance for this process,’’ UNESCO Abuja Regional Office Mamadou Lamine Sow.
Mr. Sow urged government Ministries, particularly Ministry of Finance to support to provide more funding for capital investment that will enable the ministry to pay salaries and other area aim at transforming the system in the country.
According to him, education is a profession as there is a need for other ministries to come on board and help the Ministry of Education to reach to its goal.
He wants the officials of government continue working with the technical team that has been appointed and also bring on board other groups like the Civil Society Organizations, the Teachers Association of Liberia and other groups.
The UNESCO Abuja Regional Office official, Mamadou Lamine Sow however called on the government of Liberia to take the lead in working with the ministry of education especially the Technical working group in making sure the group is fully executing its functions and mandate.
The ESA helps build common understanding and should tell a clear and compelling story about what an education system is or is not achieving, the challenges it is facing and who is or is not benefiting. It also provides information and analysis on the financing and governance of the sector, and the capacity of the administration at central and sub-national levels.