REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 10-9012
1000 MONROVIA 10, LIBERIA
WEST AFRICA
Oflice Of The Minister
Ref: RL/MoE-0185/GKW/66-NTAL/2016
March 3, 2016
Samuel ¥. Johnson, Sr
Secretary General
National Teachers’ Association of Liberia
P.O, Box 4824
Capitol Bye-Pass Adj. LNP HQ.
Monrovia, Liberia
Dear Mr Johnson,
Thank you for your letter regarding public-private partnerships in education, which we
received on March 1, 2016, The Ministry is introducing a pllot of Partnership Schools for
Liberia to explore how these can improve learning outcomes for children in Early Childhood
and Primary Schools. These pitt schools wil main free and government-owned, and wil be
tun by private providers according to government standards. The Ministry and the
Government are committed to free, quality education for every Liberian child,
| am confused by your letter’s assertion that the Ministry: has not been consulting
Stakeholders: the Ministry has been holding consultations, both one-on-one and collectively,
fince December. These consultations-have included a collaborative meeting with partners
held oniJanuary 14" and 15", where NTAL was represented by Ms Alva. Freeman (and the
Profession was also represented by many other Liberian teachers). The plot has also been
discussed In meetings attended by members of NTAL's leadership during recent weeks,
Moreover, | must correct your characterisation of the pilot as privatization, and as somehow
threatening the provision of free education. As we have communicated, to your members,
including at the January meeting, the pilot will not involve any privatization of education, nor
any move towards privatization. As we have affirmed in meetings with stakeholders, including
NTAL, the pilot in no way changes the Government’s commitment to free and compulsory
basic education. Public-private partnerships differ from privatization, as public schools remain
under Government control. Government Primary and Basic Schools will always remain free:
Her Excellency President Sirleaf and the entire Government are proud to have set this in a
4Cur education system, like most others around the world, has always been a hybrid system,
with @ mix of government, faith-based and mission, and private schools. For the pilot of
public-private partnerships, the Ministry of Education will sign agreements with partners ~
including both local and international, private and non-profit — to manage a small number of
what we will call Partnership Schools, The agreements will set out what the partners will do,
as well as how they will be held accountable. The schools will continue to be owned by the
Government; teachers will remain on the Civil Service payroll; and all partners will be required
to abide by Gol and MoE policies. Indeed, the Ministry's-pilot will not be a standard public-
private partnership. Informed by a thorough review of lessons learned in sub-Saharan Africa
and beyond, we are developing and piloting a framework that is quite new.
All of us working in education know that the system is beset by multiple difficulties. We all
know indeed, you and your members are ~ proud professional teachers frustrated by the
challenges they face each day. The scale of these challenges mean that we must consider
every available strategy. Pragmatism is demanded of us; indeed, pragmatism is the only moral
response to the challenges we face. The Grade 3 child who Is still struggling to read cannot
afford to wait a year, let alone two years or five years, for the system to improve. This means
that we are willing to learn from all potential partners who may be able to contribute to the
sector. The pilot will allow us to learn from a range of organisations who have the capacity to
rapidly improve learning outcomes. This isin line with the goals of improving teaching and
learning set out in our Sector and Operational Plans. In addition, the pilot contributes to 8 of
the 9 priority projects identified as part of our “Getting to Best” reform agenda.
To conclude, then, the Ministry is committed, just as NTAL i, to ensuring that every Liberian
child can enjoy free, quality education, We also have the same commitment to supporting
Liberian teachers. The pilot of public-private partnerships will complement our ongoing
workforce reforms, which aim to ensure that all teachers are well-trained, well-paid, and well-
supported.
‘The Ministry will continue to consult with stakeholders throughout the pilot. The Ministry
‘team would also be glad to meet with NTAL representatives to discuss any further concerns.
Ce: Dr. Edward McClain
Minister, Ministry of States for Presi
Hon, Jewel Howard Taylor
Chair, Senate Standing Committee on Education
Hon, Matthew G. Zarzar
Chair, House Standing Committee on Education—
Re Elen Para
Varley
Cll OMNG-SH6-513,
Mrs Mary W, Malbab
Gender Axes
Cal 076-903-068
Me. Edward Kiadi,
Vice Presiden
Southwestern Region
Mr. Davi. Konyon
North Central Region
Ce Wee729K4
Mr taason 1 Murray
Vice resins
Southeastern Region
Coll 4 086 679-036
(Me Nathaniel Toba
Mr, Albert A. Hesse
Noneaching Stat
Mrs. Bmmon Mera
Aes, Nae Coordlantor
Non-teacing Staff
Mr A, Darkpay Johason
aldol Present
Prince Associaton
Mrs Sarguret H. Flomo
Cal #2 88 647296
US hr]T)
National Teachers’ Association of Liberia ‘0. v‘
P. 0. BOX 4824, Capitol Bye-Pass Adj. LNP HQ.
Monrovia _ Liberia
Email: ntal_1938@yahoo.com, teachersasscoliberiaagmns
‘samjohni92510@yahoo.com
1m, varfleyellen@yahoe.com,
February 25, 2016
Hon George K. Weer
Minister
Ministry of Education
Republic of Liberia
Dear Hon Werner:
Compliments and best wishes come to you from the National Executive Committee and
Secretariat of NTAL.
JAt the outset we must express our deep opposition to any moves that would result in the
loutsourcing and privatization of education in Liberia. In relation to the government's proposed
Public-Private Partnership, and the process that has brought us to this point, we must express
Jour disappointment with the lack of transpareney and haste in relation to actions taken to date,
It is our opinion that a decision that affects the future of Liberia needed to be taken after a
[National Consultative Meeting with all relevant stakeholders in education,
We are therefore requesting the Government of Liberia through your honorable office to
lsuspend any further action in relation to this matter-and commit to a national consultative
[process across the country so that every citizen can contribute towards the development and
implementation of sound policy aimed at improving educational opportunity and outcomes for
all children,
|As you are aware, the revised Education Act of August 8, 2011 calls for free and compulsory
leducation in Liberia, With the Strategic Plan designed by MoE, we request that we use the
[Four-Year Strategic Plan for Education as a working tool to improve the quality of teaching
jand learning in Liberia.
In the cause of quality, affordable and reliable education, we remai
Best regards.
Very respectfully yours,
es
TALOP EY
Sémuel Y‘Johnson, Sr.
‘Secretary General-NTAL
12
Motto: Education Pays1. Maca Nedbal Nyame
‘Mrs. Mary W. M. Nyumah-Vfeé President for Gender Affairs-NTAL
2, SH
Mr. David
ae President; North central Region-NTAL
Kad, r.— Vice President; Southwestern Region-NTAL
on
3
Mar A. Darkpay Johnson-President; National Association of Liberian Schools
\cipals
5, fi: :
Pastor Nathaniel Tobah—National Treasurer-NTAL
a N\, towne
Mrs. Margaret H. Flomo- Immediate Past President-NTAL
7 PRT
Mrs. Albertha Fagans Coker — Secretary General; National Association of Liberian Schools
Principals
Approved: 2
Rev. al Varfley
National President-NTAL
Ce: Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
President
Republic of Liberia
Chairman
senate Standing Committee on Education
Capitol Building, Capitol Hill
: Chairman
House Standing Committee on Education
Capitol Building, Capitol Hill
22