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

Education in a Developing Country

Republic of LiberiaLiberia, West Africa

1

Where is Liberia?

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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: 1989-2003

– 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

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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

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• 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

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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)

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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

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• USAID assisting Ministry of Education (MOE) with improving education system in Liberia.

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“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.

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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

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Completed Plan - 9/2012

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THANK YOU!THANK YOU!