Education in a Developing Country Republic of Liberia Liberia, West Africa 1

Where is Liberia? 2

The Background Liberia became a nation in 1812 by the freed American slaves from the USA 1847 Constitution modeled on the presidency of USA President – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Official Language: English Capital: Monrovia Civil War: – Destroyed most of the infrastructure – Destroyed families – Destroyed way of life – Many foreign industries fled The Executive Mansion 3

Unemployment Rate: 85% Population below poverty line: 80% Exports: rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee Urbanization: 60% 4

Present day Liberia is rebuilding – Government – Schools – Infrastructure – Foreign Investors 5

Education President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made the improvement of the Education system a primary goal Schooling is not free – Most students cannot afford tuition or textbooks Most schools located near the city – mass transit and over crowding in city Primary schools do not have electricity, and limited resources Christian missionary schools have extended schools to other parts of the country 6

Literacy – 1980 literacy rate: 24% (Source: Liberian National Commission for Unesco, Monrovia) – 2010 literacy rate: 57.5% Male: 73.3% Female: 41.6% 62% of educators are unqualified 85% students in primary school 8-20 years old 7

Higher Education Major Universities – University of Liberia – Cuttington University College – Tubman University Other private universities – AME University (African Methodist Episcopal University) – Don Bosco Technical College – United Methodist University (UMU) – Monrovia College – African Methodist Episcopal Zion University(AMEZU) 8

The Future of Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Harvard-trained banker and administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment. Rebuilding infrastructure and raising incomes will depend on generous financial and technical assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation. – Source: CIA World Factbook 9

USAID assisting Ministry of Education (MOE) with improving education system in Liberia. 10 “Vice President Joseph Boakai, in his keynote address, pledged government’s commitment to the educational sector, adding that if Liberia is to emerge from a dependency syndrome, then the citizens have to see education as a catalyst and best way towards development. “

New Vocational School Goal and Purpose To create an environment where these children can be educated, trained and developed professionally to compete in the New Liberia. 11

Vision Children and Youth boarding School Campus (Dormitories, Cafeteria, kitchen, bathrooms) School General Education 1-12th Vocational and Technical School (Farming, Construction, Carpentry, Home Economics, Typing, Word Processing/Programming) Chapel Staff Hostel, Working Team/Missionary House Library Administration Office 12

Completed Plan - 9/

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