The People Action Network, a local pro-democracy and advocacy group, “Pan-Liberia”, has added a new flavor to the nation’s education system by introducing a motivational factor, whereby students sitting the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and scoring the highest marks will be given various cash prizes.
There are categories, ranging from 3rd grade to 12th grade. According to the Executive Director of the group, Ambassador Rufus Dio Neufville, students who will score the highest marks in the 12th grade category will receive L$75,000, while highest scores in the 9th grade category will walk away with L$40,000. He said for the 6th grade category, students with the highest score will receive L$20,000, and the highest scores for the 3rd grade category will receive L$15,000.
The cash prize, which is the first of its kind, according to Ambassador Neufville, is aimed at motivating the students to do more in their education sojourn.
He disclosed that the program will be executed every year, and will go across the entire country.
The former Chief of Protocol at the Executive Mansion said his organization appreciates the effort of parents and teachers. “It is my organization’s hope that this academic competition will buttress the free WASSCE policy of government and motivate students,” he said.
According to him, the total of L$150,000 will be presented to the deserving students when the results are announced.