Paynesville – The US-Liberia based educational non-governmental organization (NGO), Educate Liberia Inc, over the weekend concluded a five-day “Language-based Foundation Workshop” for 50 elementary division teachers.
The teachers were selected from all six schools that Educate Liberia affiliates with in four counties, including Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, and Gbarpolu.
At the end of the workshop, a certificate of participation was awarded to each of the teachers, two of whom expressed to FrontPageAfrica how grateful they are for the refresher workshop.
Ms. Gertrude Kromah Wolobah, one of three teachers from the Compoundsu Public School in Bopolu, Gbarpolu, stated that their little efforts in the classrooms are being augmented by Educate Liberia. She praised the NGO for providing materials that will help them (teachers) in the elementary division to present their lesson more efficiently and effectively.
“The knowledge I have learned over the last few days will be implemented in my classes — classroom management and how to furnish the classroom are two important things to do for the kids to pay attention,” she stated.
For Charles D. Kromah, Principal of the Government Demonstration Elementary School in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, Educate Liberia’s team of lecturers put them through some new teaching techniques that will greatly help the kids in their classes.
“The refresher courses are very good for us. There are some new things that they have introduced; we are gaining more from them,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Prof. Debbie Scott-Caranda, Acting Country Director for Educate Liberia, said that they are working along with the Ministry of Education to improve the educational system for the kids.
“We are working with schools that they have approved for us to work with. Right now we are doing phase one, which is teachers’ training, because without training the teachers, the children won’t learn; so what the teachers learn will spill over to the children,” Mrs. Scott-Caranda said.
She praised the teachers for being fast catchers and are implementing what they are being taught, to the kids.
She also disclosed that in addition to providing refreshers for the teachers, all of the schools that they are presently affiliating with, they have given them facelifts, too. She added: “We also give the teachers little incentives and some instructional materials just to enhance their teachings.”
Mrs. Scott-Caranda praised the partnership between them and the Ministry of Education; adding: “We have no problem; they know we are there to help.”
Also speaking, Dr. Clarice Ford-Kulah, Educate Liberia’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), told this newspaper that this workshop was the second refresher training that they have conducted for teachers.
“We came a few months back in July and did our initial. We had about 100+ teachers, including 25 from the University of Liberia and teachers from 10 counties.”
Dr. Kulah said they conducted the second training with concentration in Language Arts with emphasis on literacy and phonemic awareness. She added: “We are just empowering teachers so that they can step up their game.”
Dr. Ford-Kulah and Mrs. Scott-Caranda were the two main facilitators of the workshop; they were aided by two guest teachers.
About Educate Liberia
EDUCATE LIBERIA INC, is a conglomerate of Liberian educators, social workers, counselors, 501c professionals that believe in the education system of Liberia. It was established as a Non-profit Corporation with the expectation of rapid expansion in the education and vocational training industry. We run/operate schools, develop/oversee curriculum, conduct teacher training, and create conducive learning environments. Our schools are aimed at creating life-long learners by providing a quality, relevant, and affordable education. We believe that we, as Liberian educators can truly educate our own children. Our goal is to service the underserved population of our homeland Liberia. We are dedicated to providing services in language/literacy, math, social studies, science, the performing arts, vocational trade, special needs, STEM, and community intervention through the use of the knowledge and skills of Liberian social workers, educators, and the like. Our programs are designed to reach every child, in every village, town, and city in Liberia, West Africa.