The Executive Director of the Liberia Media Center (LMC) Lawrence Randall has provided a clinical assessment of the Liberian educational system, stating that decline and regression are alarming.

He noted that in spite of millions of dollars spent on education by government and the international community, Liberia was still producing far less quality graduates than it was ten years ago.

Mr. Randall spoke at the Monrovia City Hall over the weekend when he served as guest speaker at the commencement exercise of the School of Christ Elementary and Junior High where more than 90 students received certificates having successfully completed prescribed courses.

Speaking on the theme: "The Decline in Academic Excellence: The Need for National Attention," Mr. Randall said recent media reports about bribery, sex-for-grade trade as well as moral deficiency are some of the factors responsible for the decline in our educational system.

"The principal reason for the current decline is the overall decline in our value and integrity system, which also threatens our growth and national existence. Our schools are corrupt today because our homes have been corrupted. Parents have the audacity to encourage this generation, who should be entrusted with the destiny of Liberia; we, parents are the first line of action in changing this situation. Most of us, parents, fail to even look at the school progress of our children, least to mention visiting the schools to assess the learning environment," the LMC director stressed.

Mr. Randall is urging the government to demonstrate the political will in the execution of Liberian educational policy, and noted that government must ensure that the statutory threshold of 25% allotment to education in the national budget be kept at that minimum level.

"Today, our educational system lies in tatters. In spite of millions of dollars investment by the government, local and international NGOs, multilateral organizations and private foundations, we are producing far less quality Liberians than we were even ten years ago. The regression is alarming," Randall stressed.

The LMC Director said stakeholders, including teachers, students and school authorities are responsible for the regression in the Liberian educational system, and cited the weakness in the oversight and monitoring system as causes for the decline.

"The students are willing to bribe because the teachers are anxious to accept. With bribes and corruption overtaking the moral standing of teachers, principals, and school officials, products from our high schools are becoming less and less competitive. Even alarming is the quality of output from our universities," he emphasized.

Mr. Randall called on the Legislature and Executive branches of government to stop spending huge amount of money on unnecessary travels and begin investing in education.

"We need sound bills on reforms in the educational system. Government must review its expenditure and invest some of its unused savings in the development and growth of the educational system. If possible, there should be a review of the Ministry of Education's mandate as its regulatory operations are acutely under served," he added.

Source: thenews.com.lr