PHOTO: Prof. Ansu Sonii, Education Minister
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank has officially launched a 47 million United States Dollars project aimed at renovating 156 schools and constructing three others throughout the Liberia.
The project, entitled: “Improving Results in Secondary Education,” will also expand 35 junior high schools to secondary institutions in the rural parts of the country.
Speaking during the launching ceremony held in the Borough of New Kru Town, Bushrod Island, Education Minister, Dr. Ansu Sonii, said it is the dream of President George Weah to ensure that all Liberian children have access to affordable learning institutions.
According to him, President Weah wants Liberia to be a literate society where it will never rely on foreign countries for pilots, medical doctors, and people of all professions in few years from now.
“A child who receives good education, skills and integrity now, the results are not manifested until after 16 years when the child is in college or become a professional person 20 years later,” he said; adding: “This president is interested in youth development and he should an inspiration for all of you.”
Minister Sonni noted: “The life story of this president is lesson for you and there is no point for giving up because no everyone will be at the same levels in life.”
Rep. Dixon Seboe
Giving an over view of the project, the Assistant Education Minister for Planning and Research, Dominic Kwame, disclosed that the project will provide scholarships to 300 graduates to attend in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Botswana purposely to deployed in schools throughout Liberia.
He explained that the project will also provide scholarships for 3,000 girls in four counties with the high rate female high school dropouts.
In remarks, the Representative of Electoral District #16 Montserrado County District, Dixon Seboe appealed to the Ministry of Education to work along with him on his proposal to include technical education at the D-Tweh Memorial High School in the Borough of New Kru Town.
According to him, there are thousands of young people who cannot afford to go through the academic system in education but are prepared to be trained with skills for the job market.
Rep. Seboe disclosed that he has already filed a bill at the plenary of the House of Representatives in order for the necessary allotment can be made in the national budget for the institution.
The Montserrado County lawmaker indicated that he is planning hosting a community meeting purposely to encourage residents to take ownership of the project by ensuring that none of the materials is stolen
He also appealed to the Ministry of Education to consider the fencing of the last portion of the campus of the institution in order to avoid intruders
For her part, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Willamette Piso Saydee-Tarr, said there is no better way to give power back to the people than giving them education.
According to her, the launching of the project, which includes scholarships for 3,000 girls in difficult areas, is within the mandate of the president’s desire to ensure that girls are given the opportunity to develop themselves.
Gender Minister Tarr (Right)
She thanked the Education Ministry and World Bank for undertaking worthy project aimed at empowering the young people with knowledge for their future.
Also speaking, the Deputy Minister for Debt Management at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning , Augustus Flomo, assured the Ministry of Education of the government’s continuous support for the catering of the projects once they are completed.
He called others well established people to assist young people who are striving to prepare themselves academically to take up the challenges facing the nation in the future.
Minister Flomo, on behalf of Finance Minister, Minister Samuel Tweah, thanked the Education Ministry and the World Bank for the project aimed at improving the education sector.
According to the Project Focal Person, Abraham Kaizulu, similar launching ceremonies will take place in Ganta, Nimba County and Buchanan, Grand Bassa County so as the intensity the awareness on the project later this month.
The implementation of the project will be done by each school and it is expected last for at least until 2023
The ceremony was graced officials of the Ministry of Education, selected representatives of government ministries, students and the media because of the restriction of the coronavirus.