‘Teach for Liberia’ Graduates 4th Cohort -GoL Implored to Extend support to private teacher training institutes

By: Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr.

MONROVIA – The Teach for Liberia Fellowship Program graduated its fourth cohort of fellows in Monrovia Thursday, July 24, 2025, bringing together education stakeholders, government representatives, teacher trainers, and family members to celebrate the accomplishments of ten dedicated individuals who completed the two-year fellowship program.

Delivering a special statement during the ceremony, Alicia Ann Ceasar, the Chief Executive Officer of Teach for Liberia, praised the fellows for their dedication, perseverance, and resilience throughout the program.

According to Madam Ceasar, the ten fellows were recruited through a highly competitive and rigorous vetting process, ensuring that only the most passionate and capable individuals were selected for the transformative journey.

“These fellows have shown resilience in their pursuit of educational excellence. Their commitment to completing this fellowship, even in the face of challenges, speaks volumes about their character and their passion for education,” Ceasar remarked.

“Today, we celebrate their growth and accomplishments, which will no doubt have positive ripple effects on the lives of the countless students they teach.”

The event also featured a keynote address by Reverend Andrew Fayiah, President of the National Association of Private Teachers Training Institutes, who emphasized the critical importance of teacher education in national development.

He said he remains passionate about teacher education because it enlightens and enhances teachers’ capacity to perform their duties effectively, bringing about a healthy and productive classroom environment.”

Rev. Fayiah further highlighted that the role of the teacher is foundational to the development of every profession and sector in the country. He stressed that respect for classroom teachers must be tied to their level of training and professional development.

“Respect for classroom teachers can only be enhanced when they are adequately trained to increase their proficiency and efficiency.

He noted that both national and international surveys have shown that many classrooms are now becoming healthier and more conducive to learning because of the growing number of trained teachers across Liberia,” Rev. Fayiah noted. “A healthy classroom goes beyond infrastructure. It prioritizes positive relationships, emotional safety, inclusivity, and active student engagement.”

He called upon all teachers to see themselves as more than educators, urging them to be leaders, mentors, role models, and guardians of the nation’s future. “Without a teacher,” he stressed, “there will be no other profession.”

Rev. Fayiah also used the platform to commend recent strides taken by the Liberian government to improve the country’s education system. These include the launch of the Liberia Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge for young Liberians, the commissioning of World Bank-modeled schools in Bong and Nimba Counties, and the introduction of the EXCEL program aimed at improving educational outcomes.

However, he called on the government to further extend support to private teacher training institutes, urging their inclusion in the national budget to foster inclusive and nationwide educational development.

Roger T. Patten, a member of the graduating cohort, gave a heartfelt speech recounting the journey of the past two years.

Patten expressed gratitude to the board and leadership of Teach for Liberia, especially its Chief Executive Officer, for the invaluable knowledge and mentorship provided throughout the fellowship.

“Teach for Liberia has been more than just a program—it has been a transformative experience. We have learned, grown, and most importantly, we have impacted lives in classrooms and communities across Liberia,” Patten stated. “We are ready to carry this mission forward, to continue being change agents in our schools and ambassadors for educational excellence.”

Teach for Liberia, part of the global Teach For All network, is committed to addressing educational inequity by recruiting and developing exceptional leaders who commit to teaching in underserved schools for two years.

The program aims to build a movement of lifelong advocates for quality education in Liberia.

As the graduates of Cohort Four prepare to step into new roles as educators and leaders, the event served as both a celebration and a reminder of the vital role teachers play in nation-building. With the support of stakeholders, the government, and dedicated partners, the future of Liberian education looks hopeful—and these newly minted fellows are ready to lead the way..