Ministry of Education Welcomes Nigerian Delegation for Study Tour on Accelerated Learning Program

Ministry of Education Welcomes Nigerian Delegation for Study Tour on Accelerated Learning Program

Monrovia, Liberia – November 18, 2024

As part of efforts to deepen international cooperation in education, Liberia recently hosted a high-level delegation from the Federal Republic of Nigeria for a comprehensive study tour.

The delegation, led by Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, Director of Basic Education at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, visited Liberia to learn about the successful implementation of Liberia’s Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) and explore avenues for bilateral collaboration in addressing shared educational challenges.

The primary goal of the visit was to gain an in-depth understanding of Liberia’s ALP, a flagship initiative designed to provide educational opportunities to out-of-school children. With a focus on improving foundational literacy and enhancing educational outcomes for marginalized and vulnerable children, the ALP has made significant strides in addressing gaps in Liberia’s education system.

During the study tour, the Nigerian delegation aimed to assess the program’s effectiveness and learn from its success to inform similar efforts in Nigeria.

In the course of the visit, Dr. Olatunji-David extended warm congratulations to Liberia’s newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah. She commended Minister Jallah for her leadership in overseeing the ALP’s implementation, which has made significant strides in reaching children who would otherwise have had limited or no access to education. Dr. Olatunji-David emphasized the importance of Liberia’s ALP as a model for addressing the pressing issue of out-of-school children—an issue that also affects Nigeria. She specifically highlighted Nigeria’s “DOT” (Direct Outreach for Teachers) policy, which is aimed at meeting the educational needs of children currently excluded from formal schooling.

In her remarks, Dr. Olatunji-David applauded the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Education for their innovative approach to education. She noted that the ALP’s inclusive nature—targeting school-aged children excluded from the traditional education system—provides these children with accelerated learning opportunities, enabling them to catch up on missed education through flexible and non-traditional methods.

Minister Jallah welcomed the Nigerian delegation and expressed deep gratitude for their visit, emphasizing the value of such exchanges in enhancing Liberia’s educational systems. She acknowledged the shared challenges faced by both countries, particularly in addressing the issue of out-of-school children, and reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts to improve education outcomes. Minister Jallah stressed that access to quality education is critical to the development of Liberia, and that partnerships, such as the one between Liberia and Nigeria, offer invaluable opportunities for mutual learning and innovative solutions.

Minister Jallah further highlighted the urgency of tackling the out-of-school children problem, acknowledging it as a key obstacle to the growth and effectiveness of education systems in both nations. She underscored the need for a collective effort from all sectors—government, civil society, international partners, and local communities—in addressing this challenge.

The visit culminated in both countries reaffirming their commitment to continued cooperation in the field of education, with a shared focus on enhancing access to quality learning for all children. The study tour exemplified Liberia’s dedication to improving educational outcomes and underscored the critical role of regional partnerships in overcoming common educational challenges.

For more information on Liberia’s Ministry of Education and its initiatives, please visit the official website at moeliberia.com, follow the Ministry on Facebook at Ministry of Education-Liberia, or contact the Ministry’s Hotline at 1416.