By By: Alphanso G. Kalama,
Sinoe County, Liberia — The recent West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results have raised alarms among educators and policymakers, revealing that approximately 60% of candidates failed, particularly in core subjects such as English and mathematics. Former Senate Pro-Tempore Albert Chie has voiced deep concerns over the implications of these results for Liberia’s educational system.
Chie argues that despite incremental progress in other sectors, education remains severely underfunded and neglected. “The mass failures indicate a troubling trend that reflects our failure to prioritize education and invest adequately in it,” he stated. He emphasized that continued neglect could jeopardize the future of the nation, warning, “What kind of nation are we building if our high school graduates struggle to read at an elementary level?”
The former senator also criticized the proliferation of colleges and universities that lack proper facilities and qualified staff, suggesting that many are producing underperforming graduates. He pointed out that many institutions operate from inadequate spaces, sharing facilities with high schools, and operate on tight budgets that do not meet educational needs.
Chie advocates for a fundamental restructuring of the educational system, proposing that the government allocate at least 15% of the national budget to education. He called for the establishment of more public primary and secondary schools, especially in urban areas, while closing down substandard private institutions.
In his vision for the future, Chie suggests transitioning county colleges into vocational and technical schools, as the demand for skilled technicians and agriculturists is growing. He argues that many high school graduates are not college-ready and would benefit more from vocational training.
To further enhance education, Chie proposed several measures:
- Increase national budget allocation for education.
- Establish regional universities with necessary facilities.
- Invest in teacher training and provide competitive salaries.
- Revise the college curriculum to prioritize English and mathematics.
“Education should rank among our top priorities,” Chie concluded, emphasizing that restoring the education sector to its pre-war status is a national imperative. As the community reflects on these pressing issues, the need for systemic change in Liberia’s educational landscape has never been more urgent.
