The Ministry of Education has officially commenced a two-day orientation program for newly appointed County and District Education Officers.
According to a press release dated January 13,2024, These officers were , selected through a rigorous and transparent vetting process, are being provided with essential tools and knowledge to enhance their performance and drive educational excellence across Liberia.
Furthermore, the initiative aligns with the Ministry’s broader goal of improving educational outcomes by strengthening leadership and operational capacity within the sector.
During the opening session, Deputy Minister of Education for Instruction, Amos Armah Fully, emphasized the critical role of this training, stressing the importance of schools meeting accreditation standards and adhering to the ARREST agenda.
Additionally, the Deputy Minister of Education for Administration, Atty. Nyekeh Forkpa, underscored the necessity for strong management and leadership, noting that evaluations would focus on measurable results rather than personal networks.
According to the release to further promote excellence, the Ministry will introduce a performance recognition system, starting with the annual school census.
This initiative aims to collect vital data that will guide evidence-based policy decisions and contribute to the continuous development of Liberia’s education system, building a stronger foundation for future generations and the country’s growth.
This is a welcoming initiative especially when it is intentional. Driving change is hard and requires people who understand the change and know how to implement the change. Education officers at the county and district levels are perhaps, the most involved stakeholders, especially in planning, general evaluation, and decision-making. As such, they must be trained and orientated to their role and responsibilities. The Ministry of Education has done so by vetting and recruiting leaders who are trained in the field of education. The chances of success of improving the system to some extent largely depend on them.
I am happy to hear that, the principals are next in line. Until then, I will reserve my comment for the principal.
To close, my advice to the newly appointed EOs, they may have the knowledge and tools but if integrity is not at the core of their work, it will be like repeating the same steps that lead to errors and expecting different results.