Monrovia – Government has committed itself to invest more in science education than any other at various universities in Liberia.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
According to Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr., the move is part of a reform intended to improve the country’s educational sector.
Minister Tweah told a panel discussion held at the University of Liberia Wednesday that science education plays a pivotal role in the developmental drive of any country and this is a concept important for Liberia.
He suggested that Liberia educational reform must consider possible suggestions to moving ahead. According to him, this process can also be possible if students see the need to take advantage of the sciences.
“With a new vision, CDC will be looking to invest more in sciences and its time that students take advantage of physics, engineering and other sciences,” Tweah added.
He noted that most students are shying away from science courses due to their poor abilities to comprehend properly, calling for a change in dynamics.
He noted that poor thinking ability of Liberian students is resulting to their inability to provide logical argument during intellectual discussions.
This, according to him, is a contributing factor to their poor performance in public test, especially the recent West African Senior Secondary Examination, describing it as ‘traumatic’.
Minister Tweah, however, assured that the government will be instrumental in changing the educational dynamics positively and one that will promote intellectual exchange among the student populace.
Minister Tweah added that the University of Liberia is recognized for its age-old intellectual dialogue, mainly focused on issues affecting the country, but recent activities at the institution has turned things around as a result of constant violence on campus.
“Intellectuals do not throw stones and create violent on campuses. This must change. We must use talk as a basis of action to inspire other and bring about civilization,” Minister Tweah said.
During the launch of LUX Talk Wednesday, Minister Tweah noted that positive discussions will enable students at the state-run university to emancipate Liberians from negative perception and to bring about positive change.
LUX Talk is a forum for intellectual and cultural exchange and was featuring its first panel of discussants under the theme, “Evolution of the Liberian State, a review of 171 years of historical development.”
The Liberian Finance Minister was among three other panelists including veteran Liberian Journalist Kenneth Y. Best, UL Vice President for Administration Weade Kobbah-Boley and current Vice President for Academic Affair, William Ezra Allen.
At the same time veteran Liberian Journalist Kenneth Y. Best expressed dismay in the UL inability to offer marketing as a specialized course.
Because of this, Best said, most Liberians lack the expertise in the marketing industry, thereby giving rise to foreign business people to control the economy.
Meanwhile, Mr. Best believes Liberians will only prosper in their own country if they get involved with other businesses that will make them control not only the market economy but other sectors.