Update from the LCL School System
Posted April 20, 2007

The academic 2005/2006 was a challenging one; however last year brought some great signs of hope and prospect to the system.

There were a total of 35 school units operated and statistic was received from 25 of these schools. 3 Senior High Schools, 7 Junior High Schools and 17 Elementary Schools. There were a total of 267 teachers, 60 females and 206 males. Number of students were 5,833 with 3,202 males and 2,631 females.

The Accelerated Learning Program is still ongoing in six schools including Lutheran Elementary in Yekepa, St. Paul Lutheran School in Zowainta, Nyor Lutheran Training Institutes, Phebe Community Lutheran School, St. Luke Lutheran School in Suakoko, Bong county, St. Stephen Lutheran School and the Zorzor Lutheran Mission. During the period 16 schools received supplementary text books from the school system and 9 schools were visited by officers of the system.

The HIV/AIDS Education project conducted monitoring and assessment in selected schools and pre-tests conducted to test students knowledge about the pandemic. A data bank is being established for statistics gathered from the scores to be recorded and stored. From all indications, the project is gaining success.

During the period under review, two meetings were held to discuss the implementation of the various scholarship grants within the LCL, which proved helpful in setting standards and guidelines covering the scholarship.

The plan of activities for 2007 will focus on the distribution of test books, visitation and conducting refresher teacher workshops.  Two school operational permits were paid for to the Ministry of Education. Constant meetings and dialogues with the Ministry of Education is ongoing. Through this effort, the Government of Liberia donated $20,547.00USD to the LCLSS in support of the educational program. The lack of vehicle is a serious constraint.

Lutheran schools in Liberia welcome your contributions of textbooks

Lutheran work in Liberia began in the 1880s with a boy’s school, started by the first Lutheran missionary, Rev. Morris Officer. As the church expanded, the importance of education continued with many parishes establishing educational institutions. In some cases schools were started in villages where no congregation existed.

But the civil war changed had a dramatic effect on the education mission of the church. At the beginning of the war years, there were as many as 90 Lutheran schools operating. By the end of the war, there were only 20 schools open because of the destruction of property and the effects of the war on school parishes. (Four of these are senior high schools run by Lutheran parishes).

At the beginning of 2005, with the security situation vastly improved, the number of schools open is back up to 40, with more due to open as funds become available to repair destroyed buildings.

However, even after the roofs and doors are replaced, many schools are left with no books at all. Libraries were ransacked and textbooks were stolen, leaving it difficult for schools to restart.

If you would like to help the effort to re-supply Lutheran elementary and high schools with textbooks, below is a list of the most important needs. Keep in mind that books should be in good condition, and should be appropriate for an African classroom environment.

Textbooks for all levels (K-12) are needed for the following areas:

• English grammar and literature (and reading books to supplement proscribed reading materials)

• Math and science textbooks

• World History and Geography (not American History)

• Economics

• Social Studies (for reference libraries) that address the whole world, not just North America

• Technical/Vocational textbooks

• Also needed are manual typewriters and mimeograph machines that can be operated manually (for schools that have no access to electricity).

The companion synod committee of the ELCA Upper Susquehanna Synod has offered to receive boxes of appropriate textbooks. Periodically, they ship containers of supplies to the Lutheran Church in Liberia. Books should be labeled: Textbooks for LCL School System, and may be shipped to: Companion Synod Committee, Upper Susquehanna Synod, 500 Reitz Avenue, PO Box 36, Lewisburg, PA 17837. If you have questions, contact: Bob Bradford at bradford@evenlink.com

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