-Due to lack of funds to complete their studies for a “C” Certificate in teacher education
By Blamo N. Toe
A total of one hundred (100) female teachers in training risk dropping out of their training program in Montserrado County if prompt financial assistance is not provided by goodwill ambassadors.
The teachers, many of whom fall in the low-income bracket are pursuing a “C” Certificate in teacher education, at the Liberia Standard Teacher College (STTC) and were recruited from across five sites in Montserrado County.
Madam Esther Z. Jallah, the Student Council President disclosed to The Liberian Investigator in an exclusive interview on Saturday, July 20, 2024, on Bushord Island that her leadership in collaboration with the college administration has formally written several high-profile government officials, and various embassies and private institutions for financial assistance but to no avail.
“We wrote the offices of the president, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Education, Finance and Development-Planning, MDs of the National Port Authority, Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, UNDP, UNFPA, and all the nearby embassies but it has been very difficult to get any positive signal from them,” the council president said.
She said the total amount needed for all one hundred female teachers in training is US$15,000 with each being tasked US$150 for the twelve months the entire program covers.
“Even though if we add the administrative, teaching materials and other major costs to the $15,000, it will push to over US$37,000 but whatever anyone could assist with, will make a great impact,” Madam Veronica A. Sandimennie, one of the teachers stressed, indicating that their low income cannot afford them this opportunity.
She said the prompt financial intervention from the government, NGOs, and others who envision a vibrant and quality education system for Liberia will maintain them on the training and acquire the pedagogical knowledge and skills, as well as classroom management techniques among others.
Also speaking, the National Training Director of the Standard Teacher Training College (STTC), Rev. Andrew S. Fayiah, Sr. said the goal of the program is to train female teachers with the necessary qualifications and skills to positively impact their academic growth.
He added that the training will also enhance their ability to effectively teach and communicate with young students, especially kids in Early Childhood Development. “But our major challenge is the payment of their fees; we have considered them for two semesters now without a dime,” the Director noted.
By offering financial support, the Liberian cleric believes the initiative seeks to increase the number of trained teachers across the country, mainly in underserved areas.
According to Rev. Fayiah, the program will also close the gap of untrained teachers, empower female skills, and promote the campaign for female teachers’ education in line with the Ministry of Education’s sector plan and sustainable development goal of inclusive and equitable education for all.
He named effective instruction in the classroom, pedagogical knowledge and skills, classroom management techniques, psychosocial skills, literacy development strategies, assessment techniques, differentiated instruction, and cultural sensitivity and diversity as focused areas for the training.
“The financial estimate for the program is US$37,260, which covers the school fees for the trainees; the graduation fees will be determined at the end of the training and are not included in the estimate,” Rev. Fayiah added.
He at the same time joined the teachers in training to appeal to humanitarians, key government actors, and passionate ordinary citizens to a help by contributing their little cash to this endeavor for the preparation of those teachers in the interest of the young students.
