MONROVIA – Liberia has achieved a historic milestone in education as Mr. Allen A. Thomas, a veteran Physics teacher at Tappeh Memorial High School in Tappita, Nimba County, has been named the 2025 African Union Continental Best Teacher Award Winner for the West Africa Region. The announcement, made through a press statement by the Ministry of Education (MoE), highlights not only the accomplishments of Mr. Thomas but also the growing recognition of Liberia’s educators on the continental stage.
According to the Ministry, the award reflects a rigorous, merit-based selection process aimed at identifying and elevating the finest educators to regional and global platforms. Mr. Thomas is widely celebrated for his innovative, hands-on approach to STEM education and for founding the Best Teacher Initiative, a program designed to mentor and train rural teachers, thereby improving learning outcomes in underserved communities.
“This is a phenomenal national moment,” said Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah. “Mr. Thomas chose to teach, and through that choice, he has lifted a nation. His win is proof that education is the bridge to healing, unity, and transformation.” Minister Jallah commended the African Union for its transparent selection process and reaffirmed the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to advancing teacher development, professional standards, and education equity.
The Ministry highlighted reforms such as the establishment of a Center of Excellence for Teacher Licensing and Accreditation, aimed at restoring dignity to the teaching profession and ensuring lasting impact. Mr. Thomas, who also earned Liberia’s 2023 National Best Teacher Award and participated as a 2024 Mandela Washington Fellow, expressed gratitude to the Ministry, his school community, and national stakeholders. “Teaching is a national calling. This award belongs to every Liberian teacher who, despite limited resources, remains committed to shaping the future,” he said.
Education stakeholders, including officials from the African Union, the National Teachers Association, and the Principals Association, hailed Mr. Thomas’s recognition as a collective victory for Liberia. They praised the Government for placing education at the center of national development and peacebuilding efforts.
The African Union Continental Teacher Award honors educators who demonstrate innovation, inclusion, and meaningful community impact. Liberia’s 2025 success sends a strong message that prioritizing education and empowering teachers can drive national transformation and strengthen the country’s social and economic development.
