Monrovia – The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Education, has officially dedicated and turned over a newly constructed annex for the elevation of the Liberia School for the Blind and Inclusive Learning to a senior high level.
By Obediah Johnson
Located in Mango Town, Virginia Township, outside Monrovia, the school has been providing academic studies and psycho-social counseling to thousands of Liberians and other foreign nationals with visual impairment at the kindergarten, elementary, and junior high divisions for over 50 years.
The newly dedicated annex comprises three well-furnished classrooms with modernized armed chairs and chalkboards, an air-conditioned science laboratory, solar panels, running water, amongst others.
Funded by the government, through its Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP), the annex was dedicated as part of efforts to break the barriers surrounding the provision of quality and equitable education to Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in the country.
Speaking at a program marking the turnover, Education Minister Jarso Jallah disclosed that the elevation of the school was intended to promote access to inclusive education in the country.
She said gone are the days when students and teachers in specialized schools in Liberia were abandoned or neglected.
“For too long disabilities have sometimes been treated as a specialized issue. But no longer are we going to do that. We want to say to our sisters and brothers who find themselves in disability institutions-as we plan for school, procure learning materials, and think about the administration of exams, we think of the inclusion of our young people who are in specialized institutions.”
She, however, encouraged persons living with disabilities in Liberia not to allow their current conditions or impairment to limit or restrict their vision and ambition in life.
“All our citizens should be given access to quality education. I want to take this time to thank our President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, a man of vision, and a man who understands what his people need; we are just his foot soldiers executing his mandate. So, we are here this morning in his name to say to the disabled community that he hears you, sees you, and he knows what you need, and he has come to deliver for you.”
She expressed gratitude for the increase in the number of students enrolled at the school from 60 to 115 this academic year.
She announced that the MOE is finalizing a procurement process for the renovation of the entire campus of the Liberia School for the Blind.
Minister Jallah used the occasion to acknowledge the sacrificial and indispensable roles being played by the administrative and support staff at the school.
She also recognized the tidiness of the only public school providing education to visually impaired students in the country.
She pledged that the government, through the ministry, would provide 25 scholarships to students completing their secondary education at the school.
She disclosed that a visually impaired Liberian student, William Yarsiah, is currently benefiting from the Chevening Scholarship and studying in London, United Kingdom.
“This is to tell you that you might have a challenge, but that challenge should not limit you.”
She said specialized teachers would also be trained to provide quality education to students with special needs across various schools in Liberia.
“We have come today not only to dedicate or turn over a building. Turning over a building is not yet complete equal access. We must empower the teachers to be able to deliver the quality instruction that you need. We are committed to continuing this venture with you to ensure that the students here will be talking about this experience for years to come.”
Minister Jallah assured that the government would continue to ensure that every Liberian has access to quality education, regardless of their status or condition.
She added that it would also continue to build an education system that expects children with disabilities to learn, achieve, and participate fully in the advancement of society.
She said the government encourages partnership from international donors and parents to fully equip the school with the needed educational materials and other technological equipment.
Minister Jallah expressed the hope that a similar gesture would also be extended to the School for the Deaf and Dumb in the same vicinity.
She further disclosed that the ministry has completed an assessment of all inclusive and specialized schools across Liberia.
She added that school supplies have also been distributed to these schools to enhance their operations, while they await specific and targeted interventions for their students.
She further endorsed a recommendation from the school’s Principal, Jackson Suah, to name the newly constructed annex “ Golden Jubilee,” in honor of the school’s over 50 years of existence.
For his part, Mr. Suah commended the government for its remarkable investment in the advancement of education for specialized learners in Liberia.
“We are not simply dedicating a building; we are celebrating a vision, strengthening commitment, reaffirming our collective dedication to advancing inclusive education in Liberia.”
He disclosed that the school is not merely a specialized institution for learners with visual impairment, but it is an inclusive education institution committed to providing equitable learning opportunities for students with and without disabilities.
He pointed out that the vision of the institution is to create an educational environment through diversity and respect for individuals, and to remove barriers to learning to ensure that students reach their full potential.
“We firmly believe that disabilities should never be a barrier to educational achievement or participation in society. Inclusive education is not an act of charity; it is a matter of justice, equality, human dignity and fundamental rights.”
He said the timely and commendable intervention made by the government would significantly strengthen the school’s capacity to deliver quality secondary education to learners.
Mr. Suah maintained that the annex would not only serve as classrooms for students, but it would also accommodate administrative staff.
He observed that the historic science lab, which is the first of its kind in the district, is a landmark achievement that will enhance practical scientific learning, promote innovation, encourage experimentation and expose students to hands-on scientific experience.
He added that it would also strengthen the teaching of science and help prepare students for higher education and future careers in science.
Mr. Suah said the new facility represents a concrete investment in inclusion and demonstrates that learners with visual impairment and other disabilities deserve access to quality secondary education, modern learning facilities, and an environment where their needs are recognized and their abilities are nurtured.
He noted that the annex is not just a structure of concrete and steel, but a building of hope, opportunity, empowerment, and educational progress.
“We are deeply grateful for this investment, which will positively impact generations of learners and strengthen the foundation of inclusive education in our country. In recognition of this historic achievement and the remarkable journey of our institution, we respectfully propose that the newly constructed school annex be named the Golden Jubilee Annex.”
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