A Liberian educator wants politics separated from education.
By Naneka A. Hoffman
Monrovia, January 15, 2025/Lead Coordinator of the IRISE Project at the Ministry of Education, Mr. Abraham A. Kiazolu, urges stakeholders, particularly politicians, to refrain from politicizing appointment of County Education Officers (CEOs) and District Education Officers (DEOs) if the country’s education sector is to achieve meaningful transformation.
In an exclusive interview on January 14, 2025, Mr. Kiazolu stressed that appointments in the education sector should be based on merit rather than political influence.
He says that assigning unqualified individuals to key positions jeopardizes the development of the said sector.
He highlights that the Improving Results in Secondary Education (IRISE) Project, funded by the World Bank with a US$40 million grant in 2018, has significantly contributed to enhancing education in Liberia.
He notes that through this initiative, teachers have been trained in specialized subjects, ensuring that only those with the necessary qualifications and skills are assigned to classrooms, emphasizing, “Not everyone who graduates from college is fit to teach.”
He reveals that studies conducted across various education districts showed a lack of high schools and increasing student population in many areas.
Mr. Kiazolu explains that since the deployment of gender coordinators in government-run schools, there has been a substantial increase in enrollment of girls compared to boys.
However, Mr. Kiazolu points out that a growing number of boys, particularly in rural areas, are dropping out of school to become commercial motorbike riders.
He calls for innovative strategies to encourage boys to return to the classroom while appealing to the Liberian government and the Ministry of Education to collaborate with the World Bank to extend the IRISE Project’s programs.
Meanwhile, he emphasizes that the IRISE Project focuses on improving senior secondary education (grades 10–12) through innovative approaches that enhance access, teaching quality, and system development in a resource-constrained environment.
He mentions that the project comprises six key components: Improving teaching in senior secondary education, closing the access gap in secondary education, and increasing completion prospects for girls.
Others include leveraging technology for learning and digital skills, capacity building, technical assistance, and program coordination.
The IRISE Lead Coordinator said his institution is instrumental in supporting the project by providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and universities.
He reiterates the importance of depoliticizing education to ensure qualified personnel lead the sector in achieving its transformation and sustainability. Editing by Jonathan Browne
