Education is the heart of any nation’s progress, but in Liberia, this vital foundation is crumbling. As a teacher, I see bright, ambitious students eager to learn, yet they face overwhelming obstacles—limited resources, undertrained teachers, and a curriculum that does not prepare them for the modern world. Without immediate action, we risk failing an entire generation and slowing our country’s development.
For years there has been a huge problem with the education system in Liberia. Schools lack enough money, teachers are not properly trained, and students do not get the support they deserve. In my classroom, I have worked with students who have great potential, yet sometimes, I see them struggle with basic reading and math simply because they have not been given the proper material to build on. The situation is even worse when we consider that 88% of teachers fail the very tests that they are supposed to be teaching students. How can we expect our children to succeed when their teacher is not ready for them? I’ve also walked through schools where old textbooks are shared among students, classrooms are packed, and teachers are putting in their best and doing their utmost with what little resources they have. Liberia’s school year is much shorter than that of our neighboring countries – literally. So our students have less time to learn, grow and do their best. That’s where they stand a huge disadvantage in terms of their ability to compete for more competitive degrees and better jobs.
The problem with poor education goes beyond the walls of school. If we do not make educated young people our priority, if we do not educate young people to enter the workforce, if we do not train them, if we do not develop our economy, if we do not reduce poverty — I could go on, and on but I think you get the drift. I have talked to hundreds of young people who had spent years of schooling but who never found jobs because they did not know what to do with their skills. They took jobs abroad because they did not want to contribute to the development of Liberia. The problem isn’t just economic—it’s political and social. If people aren’t educated they’re not likely to get involved in civic life, which makes it easier for corruption to thrive. When people have trouble exercising critical thinking skills, they’re not as likely to hold the leaders to account or to push for change. A society that is uneducated stands to be more apt to being manipulated and stagnated.
A Path Forward: What We Must Do
But here is hope, though. And if we really want real reform we can turn around Liberia’s education system. Here’s what we’ll have to do.
- Invest in Teacher Training Our teachers need good training and ongoing professional development to ensure that they can effectively teach the next generation.
- Hold schools accountable Schools should have high quality standards and they should be evaluated yearly so that students are allowed to see where they are.
- Extension of school hours: Adding more hours or making learning more flexible can help students catch up and get up to speed with their peers in foreign countries.
- Engaging parents and communities: Education should not be left to schools alone. Parents, community and trade leaders and organizations should join in supporting students and improving learning conditions.
As an educator, every day I see at the top of my head potential in students. They want to be doctors and engineers and leaders. But without significant reform in Liberia’s education system that will be beyond their reach. Limona’s future is in our hands; the choice we make today shape our future. If we continue to suppress education, Liberia will remain an ill-equipped nation. But if we invest in the future, we will unlock a new generation of promise and progress.
The time has come to act. We must work together to ensure that every child in Liberia has access to a good education – because good education is a good Liberia for everyone.
Education is Elevation (Rescue Teacher)
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This Post is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: Flickr
