Education in a Developing Country

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

2. Where is Liberia?

3. 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

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

5. Present day • Liberia is rebuilding • Government • Schools • Infrastructure • Foreign Investors

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Completed Plan - 9/2012

14. Thank you! Thank you!