Monrovia – Despite some public criticisms about the Ministry of Education’s proposal to create a public-private system as a means of fixing Liberia’s messy education, the MoE seems determine to implement the proposal by initiating a pilot program which will cost US$11.4.
The Partnership Schools for Liberia will be tested at 70 schools from across the country and the ministry has clarified that parents will not have to pay for this pilot project.
Deputy Education Minister for Administration, Aagon F. Tingba, Jr. told a Ministry of Information press briefing on Tuesday that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) proposes that the private party bears significant risk and management responsibility and remuneration linked to performance. He argues that the system will ensure Liberians learn from Liberians and international educators.
“We can leverage their capacity to rapidly and radically improve learning outcomes,” Tingba said. “Second, we can learn from their expertise and use what we learn for the benefit of the entire system.”
Emerging mix reactions about the PPP is sparking debates with some asserting that government has failed to solve the crumbling education system. But the Deputy MOE boss says the pilot project may prove critics wrong because it will allow non-governmental education providers manage the daily activities of participating schools and refuted claims that government is privatizing public schools.
“Private schools are schools that charge fees and which are not run by the government; these participating schools will remain public schools,” he said, while further stressing that government is committed providing free primary and basic education.
“In the pilot, the Ministry of Education will regulate and monitor providers,” Min. Tingba explained, adding that the MOE will set the curriculum standards, monitor school performance and check to ensure regulations and guidelines are functioning. Tingba boasts that the MOE is proud of the PPP and sees it as a means of getting to the best agenda.
He is also aware of the stiff resistance from section of the public and the misconceptions dogging the ministry’s efforts to initiate the plan. Mr. Tingba commented on a recent US Study which compares a 12 grade Liberian student with a Fourth grader in the United States and this new disclosure is even more demeaning to a system labeled ‘messy’ by President Ellen Johnson –Sirleaf.
Private Firm Optimistic About Impact
Bridge International Academies, the private firm expected to partner with MOE, describes the Liberian government’s plan as ‘a bold step to fix a drastic problem’. The firm added that its priority in the partnership is to provide Liberian children with the quality education they deserve. “The partnership will ensure that children in free, government owned and monitored schools have all the learning materials they need to feel engaged and progress in school,” a statement from the firm said.
The firm which has worked in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria for eight years and boast of a 40% higher chance of students passing national exams in 2015, claims it has been proactive and a successful partner to parents and governments.
It says four children from Bridge’s first graduating class in Kenya in 2015 were awarded full scholarships to complete secondary school at exclusive high schools in the United States. Bridge statement contradicts the MOE, saying it will carry out the pilot project in 50 schools for approximately 20,000 children for the 2016 – 2017 academic year while the MOE announced that 70 schools will pilot the project.
Critics Oppose PPP
Although Bridge is zealous about the collaboration with MOE to fix the system, there are traces of questionable performances in East Africa. There are allegations that the Kenyan government barred Bridge from opening new schools in that country.
Here in Liberia, Bridge is facing stern oppositions from stakeholders in the education sector including civil society organization United Civil Society for Education Dialogue (UNICED), arguing that the initiative is an attempt to undermine the minimal gains made in the already below par educational system of the country.
UNICED recently accused the MOE of wrongly handling the PPP process, which violates relevant provisions of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission’s law, especially parts IV and V, which provide for open, transparent and competitive bidding processes in the award of public contracts.