Liberia: Mississippi State University Professors Training Liberian University Staff in Early Childhood and Primary Education Curriculum Development

Two US educational experts from Mississippi State University (MSU) have begun training over 65 lecturers (teachers) from eight (8) universities in Early Childhood and Primary education  curriculum development and inclusive education for Associate and Bachelor's Degrees.

The ongoing training will allow participants to try out new skills, such as applying gender and disability inclusive principles in the education of teachers and in classroom instructions.

The training, which kicked-off on December 4 in Sinkor, Monrovia, will end on Friday, December 8. 

Participants are from African Methodist Episcopal University,  Cuttington University, Grand Bassa University, LICOSESS College of Education, Lofa County University, Nimba University, University of Liberia, and the Adventist University of West Africa.

The intensive training, known as Faculty and Leadership Professional Development, is in continuation of the strengthening of Higher Education Teacher Training Institutions (HETTIs) to improve inclusive educational practices of early and primary education in Liberia. It is sponsored by the United States Government through the USAID TESTS Activity. 

The US experts, Dr. Shane T. Warren, Deputy Director of the Research Development Institute, and Chance Carden, Professional Learning Project Manager, are the lead facilitators.

Some of the topics include coaching and monitoring;  Specific methods in primary grades math/general methods for math education; planning and evaluation; reading comprehension and writing; gender equity and inclusiveness; and natural and life sciences.

Ms. Anh Pham, Education Office Director at USAID; Assistant Education Minister Felicia Doe-Somah; Professor Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor, Director General, National Commission on Higher Education, were some of the dignitaries at the program opener.

Transforming the Education System for Teachers and Students (TESTS) is a five-year (2021-2026) USAID-funded activity that is partnering with the Government of Liberia to improve the quality of instruction in early childhood education and primary grades. The focus is on strengthening Higher Education Teacher Training Institutions (HETTIs) in the education of early childhood and primary school teachers to improve inclusive educational practices.