By Emmanuel Kerkulah
Bong-The Kathy Justice Girls Education Foundation Liberia (KJGF), in partnership with British education expert Richard Nunns and the Ministry of Education Bong County Office, has conducted a two-day capacity-building training aimed at strengthening professional development, student safeguarding, and learning outcomes in schools across the county.
The training, held in Gbarnga City brought together 25 teachers and school leaders from Bong County’s nine educational districts, including Zota, Salala, Suakoko, Panta, Kokoyah, Sanoyea, Fuamah, Gbarnga One, and Gbarnga Two.
Mr. Nunns, a British education expert based in Suzhou, China, facilitated the professional development initiative as a partner of the Kathy Justice Girls Education Foundation Liberia.
The training focused on strengthening the capacity of teachers and education stakeholders to promote continuous improvement, establish safer school environments, and improve learning outcomes for students.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Thomas M. Saydee, Chief Executive Officer of the Kathy Justice Girls Education Foundation Liberia, stressed the importance of safeguarding students in schools.
Mr. Saydee said safeguarding remains an area requiring increased attention in schools across Bong County and Liberia.
He said the training was intended “to strengthen the capacity of teachers and education stakeholders to implement continuous improvement for safer schools and stronger learning to benefit all students.”
According to Mr. Saydee, observations made during visits to schools in Monrovia, Gbarnga, and Buchanan showed the need for greater attention to students safeguarding.
Mr. Saydee also expressed appreciation to David V. Boakai, Bong County Education Officer, for providing the Foundation with the opportunity to partner with the county’s school system.
He described the partnership as an important educational initiative that could contribute to strengthening professional practices and transforming the education sector in Bong County.
Annie M. Gbarngborlor of John Flomo Bakalu High School and Amos Dolo Jr. of Corporal G. Woah Public School commended the Kathy Justice Girls Education Foundation Liberia, Mr. Nunns, and the Ministry of Education’s Bong County Office for organizing the training.
They said the training provided teachers and school leaders with practical knowledge that could help improve teaching practices, strengthen student safeguarding, and create safer and more supportive learning environments.
Speaking on behalf of their colleagues, Ms. Gbarngborlor and Mr. Dolo emphasized the importance of sharing the knowledge gained with other teachers and school leaders in their respective districts.
They called for similar capacity-building opportunities to be extended to more teachers and school administrators across Bong County, noting that continuous professional development is essential to improving the quality of education and achieving better outcomes for students.
The participants also thanked the Bong County Education Office for facilitating the partnership and encouraged their colleagues to put the knowledge and skills gained during the training into practice.
For his part, David V. Boakai, Bong County Education Officer, assured the Foundation of the Education Office continued partnership and collaboration in efforts to improve the county education sector.
You can work with all our schools in Bong County, and the presence of school teachers and principals from our nine educational districts demonstrates our willingness to work with the Kathy Justice Girls Education Foundation,” Mr. Boakai said.
Mr. Boakai emphasized the importance of safeguarding in schools and called for stronger teaching practices and improved learning environments where students and teachers can interact safely and peacefully.
He further encouraged the participants to view themselves not merely as beneficiaries of the training, but as active contributors to improving education in their respective communities.
According to Mr. Boakai, participants are expected to share the knowledge and skills acquired during the training with their colleagues and students in their respective districts.
He said cascading the knowledge to other teachers and students would help expand the impact of the initiative across Bong County.
