http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/liberia_54304.html GANTA, Liberia, 15 July 2010 -- Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Harvard-trained economist, is well aware of the importance of education in the effort to undo years of neglect. Her government has introduced free primary education for all and has tasked the Ministry of Education with providing it. Architect, Finley Pitt is proud of her work here. "The people of this area, the people of Nimba, are well known to have a high value on education," says Pitt. "So if this project is going to succeed ... the sense of ownership the community have over this project is very important." And UNICEF and its partners in Liberia have placed special emphasis on girls' education. As a result, girls in school now outnumber boys here -- a major advancement in West Africa, where girls are often forced out of school and into early marriage. "Education is important, because when you are educated you're able to get a job," says Atleta Suomie, a top mathematics student. "When you're working, you can earn money and be able to support other people." The education system, too, collapsed as various rebel groups swept through the country often targeting schools for recruits. Almost every child in every classroom has missed out on years of learning and now they're desperately trying to catch up. Liberia's president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is well aware of the importance of education and is trying to undo the years of neglect. Her government has introduced free primary education for all and has tasked the Ministry of Education with providing it. Since then, in the last 3 years student enrollment has increased by almost 50 per cent. But implementing free universal primary education in Liberia comes with its own challenges. While Liberia is on the right track, it will require huge amounts of time, effort and investment. And it is only through education that the youth of Liberia will be able to lift themselves out of their poverty to rebuild their country. For more information...please visit: http://www.unicef.org/

• published: 16 Jul 2010
• views: 1904