……. FREE Liberia says opinion can’t address challenges of Liberia’s educational sector
By Jerromie S. Walters
The Foundation for Research, Education & Empowerment Liberia, FREE Liberia, an apolitical, registered, and accredited not-for-profit NGO, has called for a research-driven intervention in Liberia’s educational sector if it is to be improved.
The institution which was established to foster empirical research solutions, build quality education, empower youth and promote public awareness and civic engagement, is of the view that there is a need for evidence-driven interventions in Liberia, and the enormous problems in the country’s education sector cannot be solved using opinion, but rather research.
FREE Liberia is convinced that the need for a research-driven intervention in the educational sector is a must, and it is key.
At a media engagement over the weekend at the institution’s office at YWCA Compound in Congo Town, Dr. Charles Gbollie, the Head of FREE Liberia, hailed the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Education for efforts being made but urged that it must strive to do more to enhance the sector.
He sees it as one of the weaknesses of the country, and attributed the low performance of learners to the fact that proper research has not been made, to deter the cause (s) of students’ low performances in national exams and even regular school academy activities.
According to him, it has been challenging for partners to provide aid to the country, due to the lack of adequate research work in different sectors.
Therefore, he sees it cardinal for more attention to be placed on the data outcome of major challenges in the educational sector.
Dr. Charles Gbollie, the Head of FREE Liberia, is very certain that people will often prefer acting based on research evidence, to assumption or prediction.
In actualizing striving to enhance the sector, Dr. Charles Gbollie, who’s an award-winning motivational speaker, well-admired graduate-level lecturer, corporate consultant, and youth development practitioner, emphasized the need for more attention to be paid to teachers, especially their professionalization through licensing.
The institution believes that the Ministry of Education must strive to ensure its interventions/programs are guided by research or empirical evidence;
Consequently, FREE Liberia Boss urged all stakeholders to invest more in the education sector if the future of Liberia will be assured.
As its priorities, FREE Liberia has committed itself to making a difference in research solutions, quality education, and youth-focused empowerment.
As the institution endeavors to bring change in four significant areas, to foster empirical research solutions, build quality education, empower youth, and promote public awareness and civic engagement, he stressed the need for motivation for learners in Liberia and recommended that stakeholders should design programs to motivate learners, as it remains intrinsic to acquiring knowledge.
As the author of about two books, FREE Liberia Boss guaranteed his commitment to ensuring a vibrant education sector in Liberia.
As an apolitical and newly established institution, FREE Liberia is also calling in partners and well-meaning individuals for support.
In an effort to make more impact in Liberia and beyond, FREE Liberia has begun forging partnerships with the Center for Integrated Solutions (CIS).
CIS, which is headed by Varlee Alieu Sannor, a passionate young Liberian based in the US with his partner along with their Liberian team in Monrovia, is undertaking an initiative to boost student academic performance through the WASSCE.
CIS is developing a user-friendly App that hosts useful educative resources and other self-spaced learning materials to aid student learning and performance. The App will also capture motivational content to boost learners’ motivation, strategies, and values.
As part of the partnership, FREE Liberia will provide inspirational content for the App and play an active role in the implementation of the project.
The App is currently being pilot tested and finalized. It is expected to be officially launched before the start of the next academic year.
FREE Liberia welcomes the partnership for change with CIS and looks forward to partnering with well-meaning entities and individuals in and out of Liberia.
In line with its plans and steps to Provide Professional Training, the institution is expected to conduct Certificate Level Programs.
In support of the capacity needs of Liberia, FREE Liberia is expected to begin offering certificate-level professional training courses, that will be conducted in Strategic Planning and Management, Fundamentals of Research, Academic Writing and Presentation, School Leadership and Management, Teaching, and Learning Psychology, and School Counselling and Mentorship.
The transformative courses will be facilitated by local experts along with invited speakers in Liberia and abroad.
Through the initiative, FREE Liberia hopes to cultivate the skills of beneficiaries to become more productive leaders, positive change-makers, and influencers in various sectors.
As many feel hopeless, uninspired, and demotivated about life circumstances and issues, FREE Liberia has launched radio and online motivational shows in response to the situation.
The shows create important platforms for inspiration and positive change of levels. These public affairs motivational programs employ evidence-based materials and proven methods to help needy individuals to build positive mental attitudes and habits to become successful in life.
Dr. Charles Gbollie, the Head of FREE Liberia, an award-winning motivational speaker, well-admired graduate-level lecturer, corporate consultant, and youth development practitioner is the lead host of the shows.
Dr. Gbollie is also a successful young Liberian author of three mind-expanding, motivational, and experience-rich life-changing books: The Youthful Champion, The Champion’s Thought, and an international book: The Golden Sides of Tough Times (COVID-19) with several years of experience as a motivator and success coach.
The motivational radio program is being conducted in collaboration with the state-run Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), which is aired on ELBC’s Metro FM 89.9. It comes on every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:30 am—7:00 am.
As part of efforts to create an empowered society and inspired life for everyone, FREE Liberia in January and February 2023 conducted two life-changing seminars.
During the seminars, over 35 participants learned about planning and problem-solving techniques and gateways to entering and excelling in the job market.
Facilitated by Dr. Charles Gbollie and other invited renowned speakers, the FREE Liberia monthly seminars have empowered about 300 individuals, mostly young people who are becoming more productive and successful in society.
One of the participants, Konah L. Kennedy has opened a water supply facility in her Rocky Hill Community, while others are beginning to initiate impactful initiatives as well as receiving promotions at work.
In addition, FREE Liberia ED Dr. Charles Gbollie in January and February was hosted on three renowned radio shows on state-run ELBC, ECOWAS radio, and UL-run Lux FM. Besides, Dr. Gbollie was also hosted on LNTV, KMTV, and Fortune TV.
The discussions range from motivation and personal development to education-related issues.
