MONROVIA: The “messy” Liberian education sector, as former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf once described it, has survived the fiercest of rhetoric and slogans by assigned successive government ministers purportedly intended to clean it up and provide quality education. But the more the intensity of the rhetoric and slogans heats up, the less something substantive is done and seen. With the wheels now turned over to the Joseph Boakai administration, the newest minister assigned is Dr. Jarso M. Jallah who is upbeat about her conviction to turn the tide amid the mountain of challenges that the sector is faced with. She spoke at the MICAT Press Briefing Tuesday, July 16, 2024, as The Analyst reports.
Liberia’s Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso M. Jallah, has unveiled a stark picture of the current state of the nation’s education system, but not without saying what she would do while in office to provide remedies.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Minister Jallah outlined ambitious goals aimed at revitalizing Liberia’s educational landscape.
Addressing the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) regular Press Briefing, she said: “The Ministry of Education is mandated to provide quality education for all,” Minister Jallah affirmed, stressing the pivotal role of education in fostering national development and preserving Liberia’s cultural heritage.
Minister Jallah used the forum to highlight formidable challenges inherited by her administration, including significant scholarship arrears for both domestic and international beneficiaries, amounting to $6,125,811.00, and outstanding fees owed to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSE), further complicating financial obligations.
Key infrastructural deficiencies also loomed large in Minister Jallah’s address, as she pointed to delayed and abandoned school construction projects, inadequate support for school operations, and a bloated wage bill affecting over 15,000 teachers.
The shortage of qualified teaching staff across educational levels—particularly acute at the primary and junior high school levels—was highlighted as a critical threat to educational quality.
“Insufficient assets ranging from computers to office furniture exacerbate our challenges,” Minister Jallah lamented, underscoring the need for comprehensive reforms to bridge these gaps.
These events collectively underscored the fragile socio-political landscape in Liberia as it continues to navigate post-war recovery and democratic consolidation. Minister Jallah’s call for educational reform stands as a critical pillar in Liberia’s broader efforts to build a resilient and prosperous future, despite the myriad challenges that persist.
Despite these hurdles, Minister Jallah acknowledged some progress made under her tenure, notably her efforts to clear a portion of the international scholarship arrears and allocate funds towards local scholarships were among the achievements highlighted.
Additionally, the Ministry conducted a comprehensive tour across Liberia’s 14 counties to assess the status of educational delivery firsthand.
Other Speakers at MICAT Forum
Also speaking at the MICAT Press Briefing was Minister of Information Jerolinmek Piah who condemned the actions of the CDC supporters’ alleged stampede at the Roberts International Airport when former President George Weah was arriving.
He said supporters of former President George Weah, under the banner of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) on Sunday threatened to disrupt public order by attempting to forcibly enter the RIA. The incident, triggered by attempts to welcome Weah upon his return, prompted swift intervention from security forces to avert potential chaos.
Piah, responding to the incident, stressed the importance of maintaining public order and airport security.
The incident underscored broader concerns about political stability and adherence to the rule of law in post-war Liberia.
In a separate development, the summoning of Prophet Benedict Jefferson Tweh by the Liberian government highlighted tensions surrounding freedom of speech.
Minister Piah announced the government’s intent to revoke the operational license of Tweh’s radio station, accusing him of inciting violence through inflammatory rhetoric.