CSOs Discuss Innovative Advocacy

-For Improvement In Teaching Qualities and Classroom Learning In Liberia

Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Lofa, Bong, and Grand Gedeh Counties have met and discussed innovative advocacy campaign plans for improvement in teaching qualities and classroom learning in Liberia. The initiative aimed at supporting the Education Sector of Liberia, and is sponsored by the Liberia Accountability and Voice Initiative (LAVI), a USAID funded project. The discussions commenced on February 16 in Voinjama, Lofa County; proceeded to Zwedru, Grand Gedeh on February 19; and climaxed on February 21, 2018 in Gbarnga, Bong County.

The initiative was part of LAVI’s efforts to guide potential CSO partners to submit creative        concept papers leading to the implementation of the advocacy initiative. The procedure for concept papers submission, and the processes leading to grants award for implementation were explained during the deliberations.

LAVI’s support to education is mainly designed to promote CSOs, existing coalitions, and relevant government agencies, engaged in the education sector, to better collaborate, design, and implement educational advocacy campaigns. The framework is embroiled with engaging ordinary citizen’s views and participation, and strengthens communication amongst stakeholders. Given the current resource gap in the country’s educational system, the initiative will further advocate for increased resources.

According to LAVI, it realized the need to promote quality education in Liberia after it had supported a national survey to obtain citizens’ perception of the major issues trending in Liberia.  GeoPoll/Mobile Accord conducted the survey and determined that education was one of the top three priorities along with security and budget transparency. Consultative dialogues were held in Bomi, Maryland, Grand Gedeh, Bong, and Bassa Counties and validated the result of the survey which further identified education as a priority for policy reform.

Following the broader survey, a Political Economy Analysis (PEA) was also conducted, and drew LAVI’s attention to poor teaching quality and classroom learning.

The USAID funded project mainly supports independent advocacy campaigns at both the national and county levels and also works on Natural Resource Management (NRM) policy reform issues, including the County Social Development Funds (CSDF). The project also strengthens multi-stakeholders’ partnerships to advocate for and monitor policy and accountability reforms, especially goods and services in Liberia.