By Jamesetta D. Williams
MONROVIA–The Government of Liberia has announced the reintroduction of Civics Education at the primary school level, with Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah describing the initiative as a major step toward preparing children for responsible citizenship and national leadership.
Minister Jallah made the announcement Monday during Liberia’s 179th National Flag Day celebration, held under the theme, “From Heritage to Hope: The Flag That Unites Us.”
The Education Minister also announced the official launch of standardized Civics textbooks to support the teaching and learning of Civics in primary schools across the country.
He acknowledged the support of Wahala Publishing Company in producing the standardized textbooks, saying the initiative forms part of the education Liberia owes its children.
Jallah said while the education system rightly emphasizes literacy and numeracy, children must also be prepared to understand their responsibilities as future voters, parents, workers, entrepreneurs, community leaders and public servants.
“Children must learn to read, write, calculate and think,” Jallah said, stressing that these skills must be complemented by an understanding of civic responsibility.
He said the decisions children make as adults will affect other people and collectively determine the future direction of Liberia.
“So we must prepare them for that responsibility too,” he added.
The Education Minister cautioned that teaching children about civic responsibilities does not automatically mean they will become active and responsible citizens.
He emphasized the difference between knowing what is right and putting those values into practice.
Jallah said values such as integrity, responsibility, respect for the law, peaceful disagreement and concern for the common good must become part of children’s everyday experiences.
He said the return of Civics Education should therefore go beyond classroom instruction and create opportunities for children to ask questions, discuss issues, take responsibility, solve problems together and understand how civic principles apply to their schools and communities.
According to Jallah, the reintroduction of Civics Education places responsibilities not only on teachers and school administrators but also on parents, communities and public institutions.
He said children learn citizenship by observing how adults behave, including how they resolve disagreements, treat public property, respond when honesty becomes inconvenient and exercise authority when entrusted with responsibility.
“We cannot place Civics in the curriculum and expect the school alone to produce the citizens Liberia needs,” Jallah said.
He urged parents and communities to model the same values being taught in schools, arguing that children must see integrity, accountability and responsible citizenship practiced around them.
The Education Minister linked the reintroduction of Civics Education to this year’s National Flag Day theme and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s call for Liberians to “Think Liberia, Love Liberia and Build Liberia.”
Jallah said thinking Liberia requires citizens to understand their country and take its future seriously.
He said loving Liberia means being honest, protecting what belongs to everyone and respecting the dignity of fellow Liberians.
Building Liberia, he added, means recognizing that citizenship comes with responsibility.
He warned that Liberians cannot expect the country to provide everything while accepting little responsibility for what becomes of the nation.
Jallah said today’s students represent Liberia’s future and will eventually occupy positions of responsibility across society.
He said the government’s decision to restore Civics Education is intended to ensure that children understand not only the national flag but also the values and responsibilities represented by the flag.
“We want our children to know the flag, understand the country for which it stands, and develop the honesty, integrity, knowledge and sense of responsibility required to care for that country.”
The Minister said the initiative is part of efforts to prepare a generation capable of carrying Liberia’s heritage forward while contributing to the country’s development.
He said simple actions can help children develop civic values, noting that telling the truth when lying is easier teaches integrity, while accepting responsibility for one’s actions teaches accountability.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Minister Jallah invited members of the Ministry of Education team to stand and recognized their contribution to advancing Liberia’s education agenda.
He expressed appreciation to the ministry’s staff and partners for their continued work in supporting education reforms.
Jallah concluded by wishing Liberians a happy 179th National Flag Day and calling for continued commitment to the country’s children.
“May God bless our children, and may God bless the Republic of Liberia,” the Education Minister said
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