Eight universities and colleges have benefited training provided by USAID TESTS program.
By Thomas Domah / Nimba County
Sanniquellie, Liberia, July 4, 2024 – Ganta, Nimba County – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the project “Transforming The Education System For Teachers And Students In Liberia (TESTS) has ended five days of training for Higher Education Teacher Training Institutions Semester Six Faculty and Leadership Professional Development for Early Childhood Education and Primary Education Bachelor’s Degree Programs.
About eight Universities and colleges that have Teachers Colleges out of several Universities and colleges across the country benefited from the five days Curriculum Development and Harmonization Technical Working groups that also involved members of Early Childhood Education and Primary Education Bachelor’s Degree Programs held at Jackie Resort in peace community, Ganta, Nimba County.
Those Universities and colleges that offer degrees in education that benefited from the training are the University of Liberia (UL), Africa Methodist Episcopal University, Lofa County University, Grand Bassa University, and LICOSESS College of Education. Others are Cuttington University (CU), Adventist University of West Africa, and Nimba University.
The training focused on Semester Six courses and aimed to capacitate faculty and leaders in the various institutions’ colleges of education to implement and monitor a new, evidence-based Curriculum in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Primary Education (PE).
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Deputy Minister for Instructions at the Ministry of Education Amos Armah Folley thanked USAID for the TESTS project, which is collaborating with the Government of Liberia to improve the nation’s education sector.
He noted that the sector is in crisis and needs more improvement. “Amongst the numerous achievements outlined, I’m inclined to highlight a few of these achievements, which are not just outstanding achievements made by the project but a deliberate intent to strengthen our education system.”
He recalled that on May 28, 2024, TESTS completed a full curriculum package of 16 general college requirements and one of the four National Commission on Higher Education Core education courses for attainment and the Associate and Bachelor degree program in Early Childhood and Primary Education. The project is working with 40 out of 56 targeted demonstration schools equipped with the necessary teaching materials and aids.
Deputy Minister Folley referred to this as the sole purpose of enhancing the experience of teacher aspirants and supporting them during their practicums and long-term internships.
He disclosed that the USAID TESTS project has sponsored eight faculty members, one from each of the eight higher education teacher training institutions (HETTI) that are piloting this curriculum.
He noted that the TESTS project has also provided 10 International scholarships, one from each of the partnering institutions, including the Ministry of Education, National Commission on Higher Education, and the Eight Higher Education Teacher Training Institutions ( HETTI), to contribute to system strengthening, sustainability, and effective monitoring and evaluation.
Reginald S.Z is the Deputy Executive Director for Planning, Development, and Research at the National Commission on Higher Education. Mehnpaine urged the various institutions to utilize the knowledge gained from the session to upgrade their institutions’ performances in the classroom.
He also urged participants from the eight universities and colleges to consider inclusive education a necessity, emphasizing that it calls for providing access to educational opportunities to people with disabilities and ensuring that they are treated with equity.
“Considering the significance of this, we like to call on all higher education institutions in Liberia to ensure inclusive learning environments free of discrimination,” Director Mehnpaine added.
Liana Gertsch, Chief of Party, USAID TESTS project, and Julie A. Sims, Project Manager, Mississippi State University, pledged their continued support toward the education sector in Liberia.
“USAID Transforming the Education System for Teachers and Students in Liberia (TESTS) is deeply appreciative to the Higher Education Teacher Training Institutions (HETTI) for the collaborative work with Mississippi State University (MSU) and Inclusive Development Partners (IDP) on the development of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Primary Education (PE) Associate Degree Programs,” they said.
According to them, Mississippi State University (MSU), Inclusive Development Partners (IDP), and the Higher Education Teacher Training Institutions (HETTI) faculty serving on the various technical working groups have developed 38 Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Primary Education (PE) curriculum documents that have been reviewed by the curriculum Revision Board and approved by the National Commission on Higher Education for implementation.
TESTS Technical Director Mator M.F. Kpangbai joined the USAID TESTS family in calling on the participants to impact Liberia’s education sector.
In response, Participant Alphanso Wright of the University of Liberia called on the eight Universities that benefited from the project to get involved with high schools across the country and focus on impacting students before they can enroll in higher learning institutions.
Mr. Wright’s call was supported by several speakers, including Dr. Cecelia Cassell, Dean, William V.S.Tubman College of Education of the University of Liberia; Dr. Amanze Charles Ihedioha of Cuttington University, Bobson Bleh from the Africa Methodist Episcopal University, Lofa County University Vice President Dr. Morlu Korsor and Nimba University. Editing by Jonathan Browne
