Liberia: MOE, USAID Educate Stakeholders on PDIA Process

The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have launched the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) process training for various stakeholders in the education sector. 

The PDIA is a crucial component of the United States government funded Education Systems Strengthening Activity (ESSA) work plan, a five-year project that seeks to serve as an alternative framework for addressing pressing challenges in the country’s education sector.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the education sector of Liberia as we, as a ministry, in collaboration with USAID, commence the implementation of the ESSA,” Deputy Education Minister for Deputy for Planning, Research and Development, Alton Kesselly, said at the launch of the three-day intensive training. “Our education sector is in need of serious reform and we are convicted that much will be done through this initiative that seeks to find local solutions to the problems we have in the sector.”

Kesselly served as a proxy for Minister of Education, D. Ansu Sonii.

This training is a vital step towards the Ministry's commitment to adopting a more collaborative and problem-driven approach to address the challenges in the education system. “By embracing the PDIA methodology, we aim to strengthen our education systems, promote adaptive learning, and ensure sustainable progress in providing quality education for all Liberian children,” Minister Sonii said in a statement. 

He emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “This is a Ministry of Education project. USAID has, this time, designed an intervention that is specifically tailored to support and empower the Ministry of Education." This collaborative endeavor between the Ministry of Education and USAID signifies a strong partnership focused on empowering the Ministry to drive positive change in Liberia's education sector.

The Co-chair on education at the Liberian Senate, Senator Joseph Jallah, pledged the support of the legislature to the reform process that the ESSA project is embarking on, noting that the senate will support any initiative that is in the interest of the Liberian people, especially the youth. 

“Once it comes to policy issues that need our attention, we will be willing to provide the requisite support to ensure that it is done,” the Lofa County Lawmaker said. 

The ESSA initiative is being implemented by the MOE and FH360, and they are the organizers and facilitators of the training that brought over 50 participants brought from six of the 15 counties as well as others from line ministries and other groups with stakes in the education sector.

The selected counties are Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Montserrado, Bassa, and Margibi. The primary objective of this training, according to the organizers, is to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the PDIA approach, facilitate problem analysis, and foster collaborative efforts to design an effective rollout framework for the six counties.

The MOE lauded USAID for the “generous support and commitment” to improving education in Liberia. “We also express our appreciation to FHI360 for their expertise and partnership in implementing the Education Systems Strengthening Activity.” The ministry said. “We look forward to the successful completion of the PDIA training and the subsequent implementation of the rollout framework in the six counties. Together, we are determined to build a robust education system that empowers our students and prepares them for a brighter future.”