Restore Hope: Liberia is partnering with Rebuild Africa, a local nonprofit, to develop a model primary school focusing on literacy and numeracy from early childhood through sixth grade and accelerated learning classes for overage students.The investment in teachers, through merit-based selection, skills training, and on-going mentorship along with targeted literacy instruction, will result in the highest quality of education available in the district.
THE PROBLEM: Substandard instructional quality, including inadequate learning materials, and low teacher attendance result in poor outcomes, especially in literacy and numeracy. Schools are often unsafe environments for children in Liberia due to sexual exploitation, student labor, and bribery. Community poverty and cultural norms result in late enrollment and high rates of school dropout contributing to a large overage population.
THE SOLUTION: To develop a Model Public Primary School, by investing in teacher training, improved administration practices, and evidence-based literacy instruction through a school wide intervention. School policies and administrative practices will foster a safe, conducive learning environment. The curriculum is reading focused, relying on proven and effective phonics instruction, with designated accelerated learning classes for overage students.
By creating a results-focused public school with the highest quality of teaching instruction, and a culture of accountability, this school will graduate students that can read and write and succeed in secondary school and beyond. Quality education is rare in Liberia and it is even harder to access in a remote location like Kolahun District. This will be transformative for children in a country where almost two thirds of the population are illiterate.
