Learning Squared Launches Civic and Voter Education Awareness Campaign in Liberia

Learning Squared, a civil society organization dedicated to promoting education, livelihood, and civic engagement in Liberia, has successfully completed a series of voter registration awareness exercises in Gbarpolu County. The activities took place over a two-week period in Gbarma and Bopolu Districts, with the aim of increasing voter participation and engagement in the upcoming elections. Through these efforts, Learning Squared sought to educate citizens on the importance of voter registration and voting in a democratic society, and to encourage them to exercise their right to vote.

With the support of local volunteers, CBOs, women and young people, the disabled community and County authorities. Learning Squared was able to encourage hundreds of first time voters, many of whom had never registered to vote before. The organization also provided over five thousand copies of fliers, posters, and civic education materials to help voters understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

"We are thrilled with the success of this voter registration exercise," said Siotepoh Broh, Program Officer of Learning Squared. "By helping more people register to vote and understand the importance of civic engagement, we are building a stronger, more informed democracy in Liberia." As part of the campaign, Learning Squared will be partnering with schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to offer a range awareness campaign message. This will help citizens understand the importance of civic engagement and the role of voting in our democracy.

Learning Squared would like to thank the local authorities and volunteers who supported this exercise, as well as the citizens of Gbarpolu County who participated in the process. The organization remains committed to promoting education and civic engagement in Liberia and looks forward to supporting voter participation in future elections.

For more information about Learning Squared and its programs, please visit www.learningsquaredliberia.org.

Learning Squared

info@learningsquaredliberia.org

+231 886828014

Learning Squared 3rd Annual Back-to-School book ride to support students in Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia, on November 2, 2022, the Liberian-based charity Learning Squared launched its 3rd Back-to-School Book Ride in Klay, Bomi County. Three thousand and more students are expected to benefit across four counties including, Montserrado, Bomi, Margibi, and Bong. The program will provide students with supplies and learning materials they need to start the school year.

Sponsored by Learning Squared with support from Liberians and non-Liberians in the USA and Liberia. The organization has committed three thousand five hundred United States dollars towards this year's program.

Speaking to a cross-section of staff and volunteers via zoom, The president and CEO Anthony S. Kolaco , underscored the organization's commitment to supporting the education sector and providing access to education. “ We are excited again, to come forth when students need support, especially when parents are faced with economic hardship in the country, we will continue to put smiles on the faces of children in Liberia”, noted Kolaco.

Six schools and 2,500 students ( 1,300 females and 1,200 males) benefited from the exercise. D. W. Institute Elementary School, Kingdom Builder Elementary, St.Eafa School, Agape Elementary and Junior High school, ROSODAN School System, and Minor Community School. Speaking on behalf of the schools, the Principal of Minor Community School, Mr. Moses Wolayou lauded the partnership of Learning Squared as a pathway to sustaining and improving learning outcomes in their respective schools.

“This year’s book ride was exceptional, we had parents participating in the process, and I was allowed to distribute some of the packages to the students, this was a big way of supporting our children ” noted Madam Korpo, from Minor Community.

ABOUT LEARNING SQUARED

Learning Squared Liberia is a registered Liberian civil society. The organization supports early childhood (ECE) and primary education efforts in rural Liberia. Providing young people, women, and children access to creative learning opportunities and innovative, scalable ways for women, girls, and communities to finance their small businesses through a social business model and support their children's education.

Improving the Quality of Teaching and Learning Through Teacher Continuous Professional Learning

On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, Learning Squared, in partnership with Teaching Training Together (TTT-Liberia), launched a one-year professional learning certificate program for school leaders and teachers. The first of three seminars commenced on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in Kakata, Margibi County, Liberia. The program brought together fifteen teachers and three school leaders from across four schools (ROSODAN School System, St. Effa Elementary School, Minor Community School, and Agape International school in upper and lower Margibi County, Liberia.

The main objectives of this Seminar were to emphasize a transformational style of leadership that would lead to greater collaboration, shared vision, and continuous learning among school leaders and teachers. Becoming an effective teacher begins with an understanding that a teacher’s role is to move learners from their actual (current) ability to their potential ability through a process called the gradual release of responsibility. Margaret Gallagher and David Pearson developed this theory. Key points discussed included the three-step method in the gradual release of responsibility: 1. Direct instruction (I Do) 2. Guided Practice (We do) 3. Independent Practice (You do).

Further, discussed during the training were: How to plan for the school day using the three-step method? What makes a good teacher? How do we support teachers in improving instruction? How can we improve the quality of learning?

The training also brought together other participants, including district and county education authorities. Alvin M. Freeman, Country Manager, and John T. Gaye, County Coordinator of Learning Squared. C. Magnus M. Collins, Operations and Seminar Technician (TTT-Liberia); and Ollie N. White, facilitator and Director (TTT Liberia Office). On his part, the Country Manager of Learning Squared welcomed the participants to the training and highlighted the significance of the training workshop, as schools around the country will soon open. He further stressed the need for more capacity development for teachers, and the workshop is just one of the means to support education in Liberia and the quality of learning.

On his part, the District Education Officer (DEO) Mr. George K. Mambu, and County Education Officer Mr. Stephen H. Toe of Margibi County, lauded the efforts of Learning Squared and Teaching Training Together (TTT-Liberia). Making a brief statement, the County Education Officer, Mr. Stephen H. Toe lauded the efforts of Learning Squared and Teaching Training Together (TTT-Liberia) for organizing the training workshop. He further recommended that the TTT and Learning Squared extend the training to other parts of the county so that other teachers would benefit from the training. In conclusion, the CEO also recommended that the organizations develop the activity for all six educational districts with 1,038 teachers and 5019 schools across the county.

Ollie N. White, facilitator and Director TTT Liberia Office, facilitated the training session. She encouraged participants to return to their respective communities and schools and be able to replicate the knowledge gained at the training. We will follow -up and monitor the outcome of the training in your respective schools, Noted Ms. White.

ABOUT LEARNING SQUARED

Learning Squared Liberia is a registered Liberian civil society. Founded in 2016 and rebranded as Learning Squared in July 2019. The organization supports early childhood (ECE) and primary education efforts in rural Liberia. By providing young people, women, and children access to creative learning opportunities and innovative, scalable ways for women, girls, and communities to finance their small businesses through a social business model and support their children's education.

ABOUT TEACHING TRAINING TOGETHER -TTT-Liberia

TTT (Teaching Training Together) is a professional development program for school leaders and teachers in underserved communities. It started in Haiti and is currently launched in six (6) countries. The program offers a whole school approach to school improvement by encouraging a community of collaboration between school leaders, teachers, and students. It is a one-year certificate program that is divided into 3 intensive seminars throughout a single school year.

In 2019, Ms. Ollie White became the Field Director for TTT Liberia and launched the first seminar at her school, Beautiful Beginnings, in Harbel. Ms. White received a scholarship grant to run these professional learning seminars for school leaders and teachers in 2019. The program has been introduced in eleven schools, currently. A total of One hundred thirty - teachers and 22 school leaders have benefited so far within Margibi and Montserrado counties.