Rev. Alphonso B. Korleh, Head Pastor of Abundant Life Ministries (ALM) located behind the former Agriculture Ministry, now PMU office, has strongly criticized Liberia’s education system, condemning it as a facade that hinders national progress.
Addressing the media at his Gardnersville office, Rev. Korleh, an educator with over two decades of experience, lamented the systemic failures that continue to plague the country.
“Our education system is riddled with hypocrisy, resulting in a situation where foreigners often outcompete Liberians for jobs and opportunities,” Rev. Korleh asserted passionately.
He highlighted the profound impact of educational deficiencies, attributing 90% of Liberia’s current challenges to shortcomings in the education sector.
Rev. Korleh pointed out that graduates often lack basic literacy, communication skills, and essential competencies required for the job market.
“Our high school graduates frequently struggle with reading, writing, and public speaking, skills crucial for personal and national development,” he emphasized.
Rev. Korleh criticized governmental neglect of education quality, citing inadequate supervision of School Quality Assessments (SQA) and the presence of substandard educational facilities across the country.
“Leadership prioritizes votes over substantive reform. Yet, investing in human capital through education is paramount for national development,” Rev. Korleh stated adamantly.
Armed with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Monitoring and Evaluation from the University of Education Winneba in Ghana, and another in Regional Planning from the University of Liberia, Rev. Korleh identified critical challenges facing the education sector.
He called for a comprehensive overhaul of the national curriculum to meet global standards, integrating technological advancements and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
“Access to learning materials, including textbooks and visual aids, remains a challenge. The absence of basic computer literacy training leaves many graduates unprepared for the modern job market,” he pointed out.
Rev. Korleh underscored urgent issues such as overcrowded classrooms, the prevalence of overage students, unqualified teachers, and the lack of TVET opportunities as impediments to educational progress.
He warned against the adverse effects of a skill deficit that allows foreigners to dominate job markets meant for Liberians.
Rev. Korleh proposed a series of measures to revitalize Liberia’s education system, urging collaboration between the government and educational stakeholders.
He named establishment of a national dialogue on education reform, prioritization of education funding and subsidies for teacher education programs, formation of an education reform task force to support Ministry of Education initiatives as issues to handle for the sector
According to him, revision of the national curriculum through collaboration with major educational stakeholders, enhanced monitoring and supervision of schools nationwide as well as sustainable capacity-building programs for teachers facilitated by government sponsorship
Rev. Korleh expressed gratitude to international partners for their support in advancing Liberia’s education agenda.
The Clergyman and Educator Rev. Alphonso B. Korleh’s impassioned plea for educational reform resonates as a call to action, emphasizing that investing in human capital through robust education reforms is vital for Liberia’s sustainable development and future prosperity.
By: G. Watson Richards
