By Moses M. Tokpah/Margibi
The newly inducted director of the Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute (KRTTI), Sorna F. Sherif has outlined her achievements in the space of six months following her appointment, and assured stakeholders to lead with integrity and fairness.
Director Sherif in her induction statement in Kakata on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, said since her preferment for the director position, her leadership has made several interventions at KRTTI.
Madam Sherif disclosed that she has made interventions in areas such as refurbishing of the director’s residence and office to include the replacement of outdated household materials and equipment, interior repainting of the academic building.
She spoke of replacing the traditional chalkboards with white marker boards and the procurement of more than 120 quality wooden arm-chairs for classroom and installation of 20 wall fans to appreciate a conducive and secured learning environment.
Other areas of intervention by the Director include the extension of the kitchen to house the bakery and provide space for cooks, procurement of over 150 single-bed mattresses to accommodate the growing number of trainees.
She also pointed out the painting the exterior of the institute’s buildings with environmentally suitable green color, and the completion of the procurement of uniforms and other gadgets for the campus-based security officers.
Director Sherif revealed that she was able to procure accessories like desks, chairs, 12 laptop computers, and a projector for senior and junior staff offices.
These are materials, according to her, deemed useful to enhance their work. Her administration further embarked on updating, equipping, and modernizing the library to suit current day reality.
Director Sherif further stated that during the period under review, she procured necessary materials and equipment for the laboratory of the mini-clinic that is under construction.
There is currently ongoing construction works for four bathrooms, while the administration procured a television set for recreation for the trainees.
Intermediate level skill training for key administrative related departments including finance and accounts, procurement, warehouse, human resources, and facility has commenced.
As for challenges, Director Sherif said there are numerous challenges at the institute, some of which she said are overwhelming to handle especially the deplorable nature of the structures with key emphasis on the staff quarters and the lack of administrative vehicles.
She explained that some of the issues are so grave that ignoring them could mean that the teacher training program could just be mal-functional.
She listed some of the challenges as delayed in approving and releasing of funding to the vendors who supply the institute with the necessary goods and services.
There is also the challenge of inconsistent electricity supply, overstayed and faulty electrical utensils, the lack of pipe bone water and limited water source, lack of or inadequate vehicle (s) for institute’s operations and limited or inadequate fund for the overall renovations of the institute’s facility.
Other challenges she named are the lack of modern utensils for cafeteria and shortage in local ones, lack of equipment like tractor to trim vegetation on the campus, the lack of relevant apparatus to make the science lab functional, the lack of updated books in the library and illegal incursion on the institute’s fixed asset (land) as well as the lack of land deed to claim ownership as government stewards etc.
Speaking on the plans, the director said in order to elevate the KRTTI to the much-desired teacher training level, her administration will focus on sound fiscal management to be considered to align with government policies and regulations.
She continued that her administration will also focus on creating a vibrant and motivated workforce that is fully aligned with the institute’s mission, continuous professional development for trainers, working closely with the bureau of teacher education to review and revise the KRTTI curricula and programs.
In addition to her plans, Director Sherif states that her administration will focus on leadership development that will enable heads of departments to receive regular training on how to lead their teams effectively and manage departmental affairs, infrastructure and facilities, partnership and collaboration; and digitizing instruction.
According to the KRTTI Director, she believes in the power of teamwork and collaboration thereby encouraging all staff of the institution to take pride in their work and abide by the civil service standing orders that govern them.
She told the KRTTI workers that together, they will elevate the institute and ensure that it continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of education in Liberia.