Kakata — In continuation of the Elections and Democracy Activity (EDA), UMOVEMENT in partnership with Democracy International began two days of Training of Trainers workshop for master trainers on the National Curriculum on Citizenship Education.
The objective of the training is to train Teacher Training Institutes and Universities Deans and Master Trainers in content knowledge and training skills to effectively train teachers to deliver the National Civics Curriculum and Textbooks within public primary schools and improve civic curriculum, textbook knowledge, and teaching skills among school administrators and teachers to enhance students' civic skills, attitudes, and behaviors.
The opening of the training was graced by officials of the Ministry of Education (Assistant MinisterGayflor Y. Washington - Teacher Education and Assistant Minister Felicia Sackey Doe-Sumah - Basic & Secondary Education), Democracy International (Ms. Varnetta J. Freeman - Civic Education Program Officer) and USAID Liberia(Michael Johannes - Education Team Lead).
Mr. Johannes termed the training as being fantastic, and really professional, with encouraging comments, questions, and feedback from the participants. He was also delighted that the facilitators discussed elections and how it is tied to civics education.
While the two officials of the Ministry of Education extended thanks and appreciation to the great people of the United States for making funding available for the implementation of the EDA project to improve civic knowledge and a sense of duty, Mrs. Doe-Sumah praised UMOVEMENT for the professionalism demonstrated over the years in its collaboration with the Ministry.
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In conclusion, they pledged the government's continuous commitment to the sustainability of the project and admonished participants to make use of knowledge gained from the training and casket suchtraining within their various institutions of learning.
Speaking earlier the CEO of UMOVEMENT Sir Urias W. Brooks, Jr postulated that the goal of the training is to support the Ministry of Education in the rollout of Liberia's civic education curriculum in Teacher Training Institutes and Universities, focusingon sustaining civic education in public primary schools.
Key topics covered - teaching methodologies and how to ensure that students are learning critical thinking skills and actively learning the materials, and Citizenship Education competencies - on values, rights, skills, and family on how to build positive citizens, respect for the rule of law, and a sense of belonging.
Participants were drawn from the University of Liberia, Cuttington Junior College, AfricanMethodist Episcopal University, African Methodist Episcopal Zion University, Adventist University of West Africa, Stella Maris Polytechnic, Wesleyan College of Liberia, Notre Dame University College, Center for Education Services in Liberia University College, Carver Christian University, Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary, Liberia Cooperative Standard Education School System, Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute, and Zorzor Rural Teacher Training.
DI/UMOVEMENT multiyear Elections and Democracy Activity (EDA), funded by USAID, aims to help Liberia overcome the most serious threats to its democracy and foster inclusive, sustainable democratic political development.
