A Liberian educator and Officer In-Charge of Richard M. Nixon Institute, Dr. John T. Wulu, has urged the Government of Liberia through President Joseph N. Boakai to prioritized Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Liberia.
Dr. Wulu made that statement when he served as keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony of Richard M. Nixon last weekend in Monrovia. He said STEM is a pathway and tool for Liberia’s economic recovery, poverty alleviation and global accelerator to sustainable development because the government has developed an agenda for development known as “ARREST”.
He said the President’s ARREST agenda intends to prioritize agriculture, roads infrastructure development, rule of law, education sector, sanitation and tourism. But “If the government wants to achieve sustainable development, it should prioritize STEM education and strengthen opportunities for Liberian students with potential in the Sciences.”
The Liberian Educator welcomed the government’s vision but highlighted a need to provide practical, vocational and technical experience to students, rather than just dwelling on theories in their academic journeys.
Dr. Wulu encouraged graduates of the school to prioritize studying in STEM related areas in the higher education arenas. Meanwhile, Dr. Wulu has called for a reform in the Liberian’s education sector, saying that university of Liberia is a publicly-funded institution of higher learning authorized by the national government in 1851 and opened in 1862 as Liberia College, but lacks the requisite modern infrastructures.
“I am proposing that a major paradigm shift, infrastructure developmental change in the workforce be swiftly implemented at UL. It would be prudent for various public universities with various charters and legislative acts in Liberia be placed under the umbrella of what should be termed as ‘University System of Liberia,” he said.
