By Patrick N. Tokpah
(Bong contributor)
The Ministry of Education has begun a Joint Education Sector Review (JESR) conference in Ganta, Nimba County in an effort to address challenges and way forward for the transformation of the education system of Liberia.
The JESR conference is an annual plan by the Ministry to look at progress, challenges and ways forward for transforming the system across the country.
The Review Conference is expected to last for five days and it has brought education stakeholders together to review projects successfully implemented and plans for the education sector of Liberia.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the program in Ganta, Nimba County on March 27, 2023, Liberia Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor said education is a major priority of the Weah-led administration, especially under the PAPD, on grounds that education is the most important tool for an improve and better society, disclosing that their government is working with its partners for increments in the budget for education.
Madam Taylor pledged the government’s continuous support to lift the education sector at the same time lauded the Minister of Education and partners for their commitment to improving education.
She disclosed that the government over the years has made tremendous progress in improving education, naming several schools erected in the 15 counties where there is high demand for high schools mostly in rural towns and villages.
Also speaking, Education Minister Prof Ansu Sonii said the overall objective of the 2022 JESR seeks to acquire the basic information from education program implementation.
He said JESR will consist of the traditional review processes and orientation of County Education Management Teams in the basic tenets of the new Liberia Education Sector plan (2023-2027) as well as the development of a Program Budget; a new approach to the MoE budget preparation and management.
According to Professor Sonii, the 2022 JESR will include its preparatory activities and the orientation of County Education Officers in the areas of program-based budget development and expose them to the new approaches to budget preparation for the Ministry and the content of the newly launched 2023-2027 Education Sector Plan (ESP).
The 2022 JESR will enable the Ministry to adopt a Program-based Budget and operationalize the Education Sector Plan ESP (2023-2027) at county, district, and school levels for the Ministry in achieving the desired results of the ESP.
The Liberia Education Minister revealed that the JESR is also expected to create the proper opportunity for the allocation of funds to the programs/interventions, aligned with the ESP and prevent overlap of resources and intervention.
Minister Sonii further said under the decentralization arrangement of the Government of Liberia, counties are being looked upon to manage their annual plans and budgets, and expenditure arrangements.
He praised the Weah-led government for the huge support to the country’s educational sector, adding education above all is key to this government agenda we are hoping of changing the current education status of the country.
He challenged all education stakeholders to muster the courage on implementing all targeted goals of the Ministry in the country.
The Chair on Education at the Liberian Senate and Bong County senator Prince Moye pledged the house’s commitment to making sure quality education is acquired by all, at the same time encouraging education stakeholders to remain committed to bringing the education sector on par with other country.
The 2022 Joint Education Sector Review conference is being held under the Theme: “Transformative Education, the Fulcrum for National Development.”
