Liberia: Stella Maris Polytechnic Rally Citizens to Support Teacher’s Education

Since the establishment of the Bishop John Collins Teachers College of the Stella Maris Polytechnic University in 1997 by Sister Mary Laurene Browne, a veteran educator, the college has been the premier for quality free tuition teacher education.

The university, through its founder, has been offering 100 percent scholarships for deserving students who had the passion and desire to become professional educators.

Sister Mary Laurene Browne is regarded as a steady hand in Liberia’s realm of quality education and a solid and unwavering advocate for academic excellence.

However, judging from past graduates' excellent performance in the classroom and the dire need to maintain the program, the university said it will give other passionate Liberians the opportunity to participate as part of Sister Mary Laurene Browne's OSF free tuition policy.

According to the organizer, the Dean of the Bishop John Collins Teachers College, Mrs. Florence Koroma of the Polytechnic, in collaboration with the National Presidential Best Teacher Award Recipient, Ms. Precious Joy Teeweh, will today solicit the dollar support of citizens in raising L$20.8 million, or US$130,000, to help teachers’ education in Liberia.

The initiative, the organizer said, is designed to help students at the college, especially those at the three- and four-year levels whose parents can’t afford to remain on the free tuition program.

Some of the guests of honor that are expected to be at the occasion include but are not limited to President George M. Weah, Chief Jewel Howard Taylor, Vice President, First Lady, Clar Marie Duncan Weah, the Mayor of the City of Monrovia, Legislators, Presidents of Universities, the Diocesan Administrator, Trade Union, Politicians, Educators, Students, International Partners, etc.

"As we anticipate your presence and generous contribution towards this worthy cause, we hope to raise $20.8 million Liberian dollars to help change the mess into something better. May God, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, grant all of our prayers as we work collectively to sustain the great work of Sister Mary Laurene Bowne in Liberia’s education sector," the organizers added.

The school is meanwhile encouraging all well-meaning Liberians and philanthropists to attend a grand fund-raising live band parade on Friday, March 10, beginning at the Catholic Educational Secretariat on Ashmun and ending at the Stella Maris Polytechnic University, St. Joseph Campus, at 8 a.m. with an indoor program in the Poly Gym on Capitol Hill.