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GBARNGA, Bong County – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has concluded a one-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening accountability and reducing unethical practices within schools across Bong County.
Held on November 24, 2025, at the Geetas Conference Hall in Gbarnga, the session convened teachers, school administrators, PTA members, students, community representatives and officials of the Ministry of Education. The training centered on improving enforcement of the Teachers’ Code of Conduct and provisions of the Education Reform Act of 2011 under the theme: “Strengthening the Capacity of Local Education Stakeholders in the Implementation of the Teachers’ Code of Conduct to Enhance Accountability in the Education Sector.”
CENTAL officials used the forum to spotlight the persistent challenges confronting the education sector—among them sexual exploitation, bribery for grades and coercive labor—issues they say continue to thrive due to weak enforcement and limited public awareness.
Project Officer Torwon F. Gensee, who led the exercise, described the training as part of a three-year governance and accountability initiative funded by the Embassy of Ireland and implemented jointly with NAYMOTE and the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG). He thanked the Embassy of Ireland for its continued support and reaffirmed CENTAL’s commitment to championing a corruption-free learning environment across Liberia.
A total of 30 participants were selected to serve as community “ambassadors” of the Teachers’ Code of Conduct, tasked with promoting ethical behavior and discouraging classroom corruption. CENTAL disclosed that follow-up monitoring visits will be conducted to ensure the lessons are put into practice, stressing that implementation remains critical to achieving meaningful reform.
At the close of the workshop, several beneficiaries lauded the initiative, including Philip Lepolu Mulbah, President of the Bong County Principals Association and a two-time national award-winning teacher. Mulbah praised the session as “timely and necessary,” noting that it provided clarity on long-standing concerns within the sector. He urged participants to share the knowledge widely and help restore integrity in schools.
Representing the Ministry of Education, Emmanuel T. Yuateh reminded stakeholders that sex-for-grades, bribery and other forms of exploitation are strictly prohibited and will attract disciplinary measures.
Participants expressed appreciation to CENTAL for the training and pledged to use the knowledge gained to strengthen accountability mechanisms and promote a more responsive education system across Bong County.
This Article was first published on DN-News Liberia
