Liberian teachers who are dedicated to the teaching profession for several years now stand the chance of reaping huge rewards come August 24, 2022 during the celebration of National Flag Day—if the just-launched Liberia National Educators’ Awards are anything to go by.
Accordingly, teachers and school administrators from the 15 counties will win separate awards, with the Presidential National Best Teacher Awards for the year 2022 going for L$1 million and a new home donated by Millennium Construction Inc., while the Education Minister’s Best School Administrator (Principal) will win L$300,000.00
In addition to the best teacher and best school administrator (principal) awards, the organizers explained that, following the vetting of teachers in the 15 counties, the best teacher from each county will win a cash award of L$100,000, while the best school administrator in each of the 15 counties will win a cash award of L$75,000.00
Teachers and administrators from all schools operating in Liberia from kindergarten to twelve grade, including public, private, faith- and community-based with permit from the Ministry of Education are qualified for the competition, which runs from March 1—30, 2022. Applications for the awards are available online and through hard copies, the organizers declared.
Stakeholders in the educational sector led by the Ministry of Education on March 7, 2022 formally launched the inaugural version of the Liberia National Educators Awards Program (LINEAP) which, according to them, is intended to motivate mainly teachers to remain steadfast and committed to the teaching profession.
Accordingly, an independent awards committee, spearheaded by the Dean of Teachers’ College at the University of Liberia, Dr. Cecelia Cassell, which include Dr. Benjamin Y. Wehye, President of the National Association of Liberian School Principals; Sis. Mary Lauren Browne of the Stella Maris Polytechnic; Dr. Charles Gbollie, Focal Person of the LINEAP, among others, has been set up to vet candidates/applicants (teachers and school administrators).
Members of the vetting committee of the LINEAP acknowledged the sponsorship of the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), the Liberia Institute for Promotion of Academic Excellence, the Millennium Construction Incorporated, among others, and revealed that a total of 32 awards will be given out this year; 15 for County Best Teachers, 15 for County Best School Principals, and one each for National Best Teacher and National Best Principal.
“The Ministry of Education and partners see this endeavor as a significant step in recognizing, appreciating and motivating teachers and administrators to remain devoted to the teaching profession,” Deputy Education Minister for Administration, Latim Da-thong, asserted.