CEIP Launches Educational Survey

The Community Integrated Education PROGRAM (CEIP) a non-governmental Organization has launched what it calls an educational survey to identify the three educational districts of Margibi County.

In an interview with our reporter in Kakata where the ceremony was held, Mr. Jonathan Kaipay, the organization’s Program Coordinator said the exercise is meant to conduct need assessment of areas, such as the ones with bad roads, no school at all, make-shift schools, places where parents want to send their kids to school, but no money etc for the possible construction of elementary and junior high schools.

He disclosed that they will also be looking at traditional barriers affecting the education of some children in various communities, and the willingness of families to send their children to school among other factors. Mr. Kaipay said the launching ceremony brought together stakeholders including the United Methodist Church in Liberia, Traditional Leaders, District Educational Officers, Youth Leaders and other decision makers of Margibi Count.

The CEIP Program Coordinator added that the program will commence on the 24th of October and it is a partnership agreement between the United Methodist Church in Liberia and the United Methodist Church in Norway, through the Norwegian Mission Alliance.

Mr. Kaipay pointed out that this is just the pilot phase which began in October and will end by December 2010, but the actual implementation will commence by January 2011, which is a five year program that will end by 2015.

He said they are working collaboratively with the Liberian Government, and the government has assured them of providing teachers and salaries, he revealed that his organization will provide funding for the construction of 16 schools in Margibi, Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties, including teachers’ Quarters, children playgrounds and also provide training for teachers, PTA members, School Board Members, Etc.

In conclusion, he said the project is the United Methodist Church’s own way of enhancing  the Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), so they will need the support and cooperation from the communities in which they are working, because the structures will be put up according to the communities own plans and decisions, they should provide unskilled laborers, and local resources.