The Global Partnership for Education in partnership with UNICEF Liberia has turned over a brand new trailer worth over US$180 Thousand with a 40-ft container to the Ministry of Education.
The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) is a World Bank donor partner and has been working collaboratively with UNICEF Liberia to improve the Liberian education sector through the Ministry of Education.
The project of GPE is being implemented by UNICEF, its implementing partner that also did the procurement of the trailer along with the 40-ft container for the Ministry of Education.
The trailer along with the container was officially turned over to the MoE by Amadou Cisse, who did so on behalf of UNICEF Country Representative, Laila Gad.
Speaking at the official turning-over ceremony held at the Ministry in Congo Town, Cisse said the gesture is to help the MoE in the distribution of school materials across Liberia. He stressed that the exercise is far beyond a turning-over ceremony.
Mr. Cisse added that the ceremony is an achievement for the strong and effective partnership that the Liberian government, UNICEF, and GPE Project continue to enjoy.
He told the Ministry of Education that although there have been some challenges the Ministry has achieved some successful projects with the help of its partners.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Ansu Sonii lauded the Global Partnership for Education through its implementing partner, UNICEF for the donation of a trailer with a 40-foot container.
Prof. Sonii said the availability of the trailer will address the mobility aspect of the distribution of learning materials to some targeted counties.
According to him, the efficiency of the current trucks possessed by the Ministry is low, noting that the trailer provided will be used by the MoE to mainly target the most populated areas as opposed to the hard-to-reach places.
Minister Sonii further assured UNICEF and the Global Partnership for Education that the Ministry will exercise the full implementation of the project.
At the same time, the Minister of Education thanked President George Weah for ensuring that road connectivity becomes paramount to addressing the health and other basic social needs of citizens.
On behalf of the President and the Liberian government, Prof. Sonii expressed gratitude for the achievement.
Also, Minister Ansu Sonii told the acting Director for Transport of the Ministry of Education, to ensure that at least two or three persons are trained on the trailer.
At the same time, the Minister has reminded UNICEF about the full competition of the MoE’s radio station.
“With all of the available materials, it is not a radio station yet. If the station can be dedicated in February or March this year, it will be good to even have the signatures of GPE, UNICEF, and MOE,” Minister Sonii said.
He noted that the achievement of such a milestone will have a record of UNICEF, adding that the station will help Liberian students to learn quality lessons by radio.
“8,200 lessons have already been produced. Of that, 2,000 lessons have been edited as the target is 9,400 lessons. We are seeking support from UNICEF, despite the close of the project, it will help to complete our lessons,” Prof. Sonii averred.
He stressed that over US$90,000 is needed to complete the entire lessons, something he said covers 1st to 12th grades.
“Early Childhood Education is not included for now because they do not listen to the radio. We will make sure that during the dedication of the radio station, the President of Liberia, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah will be present to emphasize the point that the Ministry radio station will 100% be used for only educational purposes, not commercial activities.
