MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia(GoL), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Practical Education Network (PEN), has launched a new suite of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teacher resource manuals aimed at transforming the teaching of science and mathematics in schools nationwide.
By Francis G. Boayue
The initiative, officially unveiled on Wednesday, August 5, is expected to shift classrooms from traditional lecture-based instruction toward practical, inquiry-driven learning that encourages experimentation, critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation.
The eight STEM teacher resource manuals were developed under the Youth Rising Project, implemented by UNIDO with funding support from the European Union (EU) and the Government of Sweden.
The project seeks to strengthen Liberia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector while equipping young people with the skills needed for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Speaking during the launch, UNIDO Chief of Industrial Energy Technologies and Investment Promotion Services (IET/PST), Virpi Stucki, described the initiative as a significant milestone in Liberia’s efforts to strengthen education and develop the country’s human capital.
“If I had to describe today’s event in three words, this would be curiosity, opportunity, and transformation,” she said.
According to Madam Stucki, curiosity remains the foundation of scientific discovery, while quality STEM education creates opportunities for careers, industries, and innovation that can transform Liberia’s future.
She explained that the manuals were developed after the first phase of the Youth Rising Project exposed weak STEM foundations and limited opportunities for practical learning in Liberian classrooms.
“Youth Rising Phase One introduced practical STEM teaching approaches in selected schools, and one of the clearest lessons learned was the need for teacher-friendly, hands-on resources that move beyond memorization to inquiry-based, learner-centered education,” she said.
She noted that the manuals provide curriculum-aligned guidance designed to promote experimentation, active student participation and problem-solving.
The next phase of implementation, she disclosed, will include the training of 300 teachers across eight counties through 10 master trainers, while STEM fairs will be organized in Monrovia to showcase students’ innovations.
“Today’s launch is therefore not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of the next phase,” she emphasized, adding that the true measure of success would be the curiosity the manuals inspire and the future they help shape.
Representing Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, Deputy Minister for Instruction, Amos Armah Fully, described the manuals as a turning point for Liberia’s education system.
He criticized the country’s long-standing classroom culture where teachers dominate lessons while students rely heavily on memorization.
“For too long, our science and mathematics classrooms have been the ‘chalk and we talk.’ Everything is done by the teachers. Students memorize formulas without understanding what they are learning,” Fully said.
He stressed that the new approach would encourage students to actively participate in lessons by using locally available materials to understand scientific and mathematical concepts.
“We have come to change that whole way of doing things to the modern way where both teachers and students are fully involved,” he said.
Deputy Minister Fully observed that many students develop negative attitudes toward mathematics because of the manner in which it is taught.
“When students are involved in practical work, they understand concepts better. But when teachers only talk, many students lose interest,” he added.
He urged educators to make full use of the manuals.
“The manual is not just another book to place on a shelf. It should become your daily guide. Make it like your Holy Bible because it is practical,” he told teachers.
The Deputy Minister further emphasized that science and mathematics remain central to Liberia’s development, supporting sectors including agriculture, healthcare, technology, industry and business.
Following his remarks, Deputy Minister Fully officially declared the STEM resource manuals launched on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Practical Education Network, Dr. Heather Been, said the manuals are the product of years of collaboration involving STEM experts, educators, illustrators, curriculum specialists and government institutions.
She explained that the manuals cover science and mathematics from elementary through senior high school and include practical activities for every topic contained in Liberia’s national curriculum.
“The locally available materials have been emphasized throughout the content, proving that practical STEM education is possible within the Liberian context using resources already available in communities,” Dr. Been said.
She expressed confidence that the manuals would spark greater interest in STEM subjects among Liberian students and expand opportunities for young people nationwide.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, Education Project Officer, Lorpu Faith Scott, described quality education as one of the most valuable investments any nation can make.
She said STEM education equips young people with critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills needed to compete in the 21st-century economy.
Madam Scott called on stakeholders to ensure the manuals are effectively distributed and utilized across schools throughout Liberia.
Swedish Ambassador to Liberia Karl Backéus said Sweden was proud to support an initiative that would leave a lasting impact on Liberia’s education sector despite the gradual conclusion of Sweden’s development cooperation program in the country.
“We want to ensure that our contributions make a difference, and I think this is a great example of something that will leave a lasting impact on society,” Ambassador Backéus said.
He also praised the project’s emphasis on gender equality and increasing girls’ participation in STEM education.
PEN Country Director Joseph Quaye Amoo said the manuals were developed in direct response to repeated requests from Liberian teachers for curriculum-specific STEM teaching resources.
He recalled that between 2022 and 2023, PEN trained 33 Liberian teachers using manuals designed for Ghana’s curriculum before educators requested materials tailored specifically to Liberia.
“The Ghana manuals were good, but teachers consistently asked when Liberia would have its own manuals aligned with the national curriculum,” Mr. Amoo said.
He explained that the manuals underwent extensive classroom testing, expert reviews, stakeholder validation, and revisions to ensure they reflect Liberia’s educational environment.
According to Mr. Amoo, the ultimate objective is to cultivate critical thinking, innovation and problem-solving skills among Liberian students.
“Students can learn with their hands, build critical thinking skills, solve local problems, and ultimately contribute to transforming Liberia and the rest of Africa,” he said
