Africa-Press – Liberia. Monrovia — In an effort to achieve a 20 percent increase in the allocation of the national budget to the education sector, the Civil Society Activity (CSA) convened a strategic meeting with lawmakers late Wednesday evening.
The event, titled “Education Thematic Window, Education Advocacy Coalition National Level Engagement,” took place at the Royal Grand Hotel and was supported by USAID. Officials from the Ministry of Education also attended, as they are expected to defend their education budget before the Senate.
The Civil Society Activity urged lawmakers to consider raising the current funding allocated to the education sector, pointing out that Liberia falls short of the benchmark in education funding allocation.
In response, lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives expressed support for increasing funding to the education sector.
Representative Thomas Romeo Quioh of Sinoe County District #1 emphasized the need for support and oversight in the educational sector. “Support and supervision are essential in this sector, which faces challenges,” he stated. “The Ministry and all stakeholders must ensure that support reaches every child, regardless of their location.”
Senator Numene T.H. Bartekwa from Grand Kru County highlighted the importance of increasing funding to the sector, noting that a significant portion of teachers are volunteers.
Gbehzohngar M. Findley, another Senator, cautioned that while funding is important, the focus should not solely be on financial resources. “Quality education requires more than just money; it requires trained teachers,” he remarked.
Senator Findley also clarified that the current budget allocation was determined by the Ministry of Education, not the legislature, and emphasized the need to address revenue challenges to increase funding for education.
Representative Moira Briggs Mensah of Bong County District #6 echoed the importance of such meetings but urged for an audit of the payroll to ensure fair distribution of salaries.
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