LICOSESS ‘Elbow’ Greased

MONROVIA-The Liberian Cooperative Standard Education School System (LICOSESS) widely known as LICOSESS Teacher Training College has been given the green light to offer a full degree in various educational disciplines of studies.

The disclosure of granting LICOSESS Teacher Training College status of granting full degrees in various disciplines of studies was made by the Principal Deputy Director-General of the National Commission on Higher Education, Rev. Andrew Lavalah.

Rev. Lavalah said LICOSESS Teacher Training College is among the 42 accredited institutions that are being regulated by the National Commission on Higher Education, Andrew Lavalah.

With this accreditation of LICOSESS Teacher Training College by the National Commission on Higher Education, the College will now be offering the full degrees, that are Bachelor of Arts (BSc) including primary and secondary education, school administration, early childhood education, and general studies.

He disclosed that the Commission in its accreditation and licensing of tertiary institutions primarily focuses on three thematic areas, which are access, relevance, and quality.

“The pillars of access have to do with having tertiary learning institutions available across the country, wherein our citizenry can enroll; relevant has to do with the programs that are offered within the institutions that contribute to the socio-economic development agenda of the country and the quality which is the most critical part of the pillar, has to do with what is being ensured that the provision given by the tertiary institutions has the assurance of quality and those who graduate from there not just graduating with certificates, diplomas or degrees but they are people who can contribute worthwhile to the society in the building of our nation”, Rev. Lavalah pointed out.

He said it was in this vein, that the LICOSESS Teacher Training College being one of the tertiary learning institutions in Liberia, two weeks ago was elevated status to award Bachelor Degree in education commencing in September 2022.

Speaking recently at the program making the 16^th Associate of Arts Degree, 22^nd “C” Certificate Graduation of LICOSESS Teacher Training College and 2^nd Graduation of LICOSESS Demonstration School in Congo, Rev. Lavalah said the institution was among several tertiary selected under the United States Government – USIAD project to build and train teachers across the country.

He said under the project, USAID will be partnering with the Government of Liberia through the National Commission on Higher Education and Education Ministry to train about three thousand, five hundred teachers in the country.

Rev. Lavalah indicated that the project initial phase will be rolled out in six counties targeting eight institutions, four government-run including the University of Liberia, Nimba, Lofa, and Grand Bassa Community Colleges, as well as three Faith-based institutions – African Methodist and Cuttington University with the selection of one private tertiary institution which was the LICOSESS Teacher Training College.

He stated: “the LICOSESS Teacher Training College was selected based on their contribution to the development of teachers across Liberia and the need that they have to able to build their capacity to do more.

Meanwhile, the LICOSESS Teacher Training College, Dr. Benjamin Yele Wehyee, said the institution will remain the premium when it comes to producing qualified and training teachers who will provide the quality of teaching in the country’s education sector.

Dr. Wehye: “At the heart of the vision is our commitment to broadening and deepening LICOSESS education, ensuring that it is more affordable, accessible and relevant”.

The Liberian Cooperative Standard Education School System (LICOSESS) was established by a group of Liberian Professional Teachers and Administrators and was founded on 4^th November 1994.

The institution was established with the main purpose of buttressing the effort of the Ministry of Education to support the school system with qualified and well-prepared teachers and administrators to teach at both primary and secondary school levels in Liberia.

In this regard, the LICOSESS was incorporated on May 10, 1995, as an educational entity to prepare teachers for C, B, and AA Certificates.

LICOSESS, officially located in Paynesville, in the Kissi Camp community in the GSA Road area, is preparing in-service and pre-service teacher trainees in Pleebo, Maryland, Liberia Agricultural Company, Grand Bassa, Bong Mines, Bong County, Suakoko, Bong County, Caldwell, Montserrado County, Old road, Montserrado County, Unification Town, Margibi County, Barclayville, Grand Kru County, Greenville, Sinoe County, Gbarpolu County, and Ganta, Nimba County.

New Republic Liberia

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.