A team of U.S.-based education experts has identified key intervention areas to strengthen and improve Liberia’s education system following an assessment visit in 2024. The team, led by renowned educator Stephen Zipkes, has submitted a comprehensive roadmap and proposal to the Liberian government, outlining innovative strategies to drive transformation within the sector.
Under the framework of a 21st-century advanced education system, the experts propose a practical, up-to-date, and technology-driven approach to education reform. Their recommendations focus on teacher training, curriculum reform, and modernized pedagogy to enhance the quality of learning in Liberia.
Key Areas of Intervention
The team disclosed that they have already designed an application tailored specifically for Liberia’s curriculum, aligning with contemporary educational needs. Their proposed reforms emphasize enhanced teacher preparation to ensure educators are adequately equipped to deliver quality education, a shift in teaching methods to incorporate modern pedagogical practices, emotional learning and counseling to support students, including drug awareness programs and student advocacy initiatives, and inclusive education to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all, particularly girls.
“We aim to create a pathway to bring students back to school and ensure they stay in school,” said Dr. Ariel Taylor, a member of the delegation. She stressed the importance of redefining educational possibilities in Liberia and prioritizing inclusive education as a tool for social equity.
Building Local Capacity
The education experts emphasized a train-the-trainer model to empower Liberian educators who will, in turn, train others across the country. Their plan spans both higher education and primary-to-secondary levels, integrating 21st-century skills training to prepare students for global competition.
Stephen Zipkes reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with Liberia’s education sector to create lasting impact, noting that their team includes educators, nurses, professors, professionals, teachers, and counselors with extensive experience in education reform.
A Call for Government Support
Liberian-born Amb. Bill Rogers, a professor at Huston-Tillotson University in the United States, has played a pivotal role in facilitating this initiative. He urged the Liberian government to embrace these critical reforms, stressing that education is the foundation for national development.
“Every nation’s future depends on its education system,” Amb. Rogers stated, emphasizing the need for a robust and practical approach from the Ministry of Education. He acknowledged the ministry’s support during the assessment visit but called for greater urgency in implementing reforms.
Rogers pledged to remain engaged in seeking solutions to improve Liberia’s education system and called on all stakeholders to seize this golden opportunity to drive meaningful change. “There are highly skilled educators ready to assist Liberia—let’s not let this opportunity go to waste,” he urged.
The team’s proposal has been submitted to the Liberian government, and education stakeholders are now expected to review and consider its adoption for the betterment of Liberia’s students and future workforce.
