New Education Policy: with commitment and sincerity, success is sure

Consultations on so-called reform measures between the Liberian government and stakeholders in the educational sector may be heightening towards the benchmark for the closure of schools.

Monday, July 20, 2015 occasioned the latest round of discussions at the Monrovia City Hall in the process of changing the “messy Liberian education system to best” – in the words of Education Minister George Werner.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf told education stakeholders attending the consultative meeting to consider such consultations as an effort by the Government of Liberia to restore credibility and dignity to the sector in the supreme interest of the nation’s children.

Whether or not the approach being pursued by authorities of the Ministry of Education is realizable in consonance with the September 2015 benchmark set for the commencement of the next academic tear in Liberia remains anticipated.

Even though the ongoing consultations, as well as the nation-wide assessment tour undertaken by officials of the Education Ministry a few weeks ago should have first been considered before the policy statement by Minister Werner; it is better late than never if and only if those responsible to implement such education reform policy are up to the task as per their commitment and sincerity.

The time for implementation may be absolutely very short, but the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including County and District Education Officers and school principals in the interest of true ‘change from mess to best’ would surely yield some fruitful results.

In view of the foregoing, it is also incumbent on stakeholders engaged in the current consultations with the government to “place their cards on the table” regarding what it entails for such transformation as pursued by the Education Ministry.

Leaving these talks with the government without ensuring the realities for the success of the policy would also apportion blames to them and not only the former; this is why the government must be pressed by school authorities in making sure that all of the mechanisms – improved salaries, benefits and incentives, laboratories, libraries and other environment conditions, are in place toward the change from “mess to best”.
While we all anticipate and support a vibrant education system for the Liberian student Community, such rewarding move by the government must be practical and impacting, and not the regular rhetoric and un-necessary justifications to save face in the eyes of the Liberian people.

In the eyes of faith and with the commitment and sincerity we think should be exhibited by all actors, we are of the fervent belief that success is sure in our anticipation for a change from a “messy to a better” educational system in Liberia.