Liberia: Description, History, ProblemsStarr, Frederick
History
Liberia: Description, History, Problems
Starr, Frederick
Liberia
teachers are recognized in the public schools; all teachers are required
to pass an examination and receive certificates; second grade teachers
receive thirty dollars per year more than third grade teachers, and
teachers of first grade, thirty dollars more than those of second grade.
Public schools are subject to the inspection of a local school committee
which “consists of three good, honest, substantial citizens of the
locality, having an interest in education. Sex ought not to be a
barrier. They need not be highly educated, but should be able to read
and write intelligently and earnest friends of education.” Membership in
the committee is purely honorary, no fee accompanying the appointment.
The members of the committee are to take an annual census of children of
school age and to see that they attend school; they are to keep tab on
the teacher and report him if he be guilty of immoral conduct or fails
to advance his school. Each county has a school Commissioner whose
business it is to examine candidates for teaching, to employ and direct
teachers, to approve bills of salary, to visit each school in his
district without announcement at least once a quarter, to remove and
replace teachers, to make reports to the General Superintendent, to
supply text-books, and hold annual teachers’ meetings in order to
develop greater ability on the part of the instructors. Compulsory
education is recognized in the Republic; as, however, many young people
are obliged to assist in the support of the families to which they
belong, night schools are provided for those who may be working during
the hours of the day. The public schools are practically confined to the
Americo-Liberian settlements. The latest definite statistics in regard
to the number of children in attendance on the public schools are those
of 1910. At that time 1782 children were in the schools; of these 1225
were civilized, 557 uncivilized, i. e., native; the distribution
according to counties was as follows: In Grand Bassa County, 407; in
Maryland County, 148; in Montserrado County, 947; in Sinoe County, 280.
The instillation of patriotism into the young mind is regarded as a
matter of importance, and it is required that the flag of the Republic
shall be daily displayed at every school-house or place where public
school is held; and “the hoisting and striking of colors at the daily
opening and close of school session shall be attended with such
ceremonies as shall tend to instill into the minds of the pupils a
respect and veneration for the flag and a knowledge of the principle for
which it stands.”
The public schools, however, are probably less numerous, and certainly
reach fewer scholars than the various mission schools conducted by the
different denominations. At the time that Mr. Barclay made his report he
claimed but sixty-five public schools to ninety mission schools. While
the public schools reached 1782 children, the mission schools had an
attendance of 3270 children.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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