By Emmanuel Koffa
GRAND KRU – As part of efforts aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure nationwide, the Government of Liberia (GoL) through its Ministry of Education, has handed over construction works for the construction of three High School buildings in faraway Grand Kru County.
Out of eight educational districts in Grand Kru, the Gbanken Public School of Wedabo Education District; Fanitoe Public School of Doeswen Education District; and Nifu Public School of Jloh Education District; are the three schools and districts benefitting from this project which commenced in 2023, but was abandoned by the previous construction firm whose identity authorities failed to reveal.
However, at a recent ceremony when Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah toured Grand Kru County, the projects were officially handed over to the International Consolidated Contractors (ICC), for completion.
Sources in Grand Kru rate the new firm as a leading construction company known for its commitment to quality project execution and timely completion.
The decision to hire ICC comes after assessing the progress of the projects, following Minister Jallah’s visit to Grand Kru, which is vital for addressing the increasing demand for secondary education in the county, according to Grand Kru County Acting Education Officer, Nicholas Wleh.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Acting Education Officer, Wleh, underscored the need for collective effort from community members aimed at achieving the goals of all three projects.
“Education is a communal responsibility,” he stated, adding; “We need parents, local leaders, and residents to support these projects. Whether through volunteer work, raising awareness, or contributing resources – every little bit helps to ensure our children have a conducive learning environment.”
He asserted that the construction of three schools located in different districts within Grand Kru is expected to accommodate a growing student population that has placed a strain on existing facilities in the past.
The Grand Kru County Acting Education Officer believes that with rising enrollment in the student population in Grand Kru, the urgency to complete these facilities has never been greater than it is at the moment.
He emphasized the importance of timely and efficient construction of educational facilities, stating, “We cannot afford to delay the future of our children.
Wleh encouraged community members and District Education Officers (DEOs) to stay engaged in the construction process of the school buildings, noting that their involvement could foster pride and ownership of these educational facilities when completed.
Also speaking at the occasion on behalf of DEOs of benefiting districts, DEO Patrick T. Plee expressed gratitude over the step taken by the Education Ministry through its Senior Management team, as well as implementing and supporting partners including past and present officials of government for the gesture.
On behalf of community dwellers and District Education Officers, DEO Plee vowed that they will be committed to making sure that they work with the contractors for the successful completion of construction of the three school buildings that are each at the foundation level at the moment.
He noted that the handover of the construction projects marks a pivotal moment in Grand Kru County’s educational development, stating; “With the joint efforts of the Government, the new contractor, and the community, these senior high schools are set to not only provide academic opportunities but also empower local youth, fostering a spirit of cooperation and dedication toward the future of education in the county.”
The head of International Consolidated Contractors the new firm hired for the completion of the school buildings, Hassan Amed, has committed his company aimed at ensuring the timely completion of the projects within the next three months.
When completed, the school buildings, each designed to accommodate over 800 students, will consist of state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and a staff lounge.
Meanwhile, Grand Kru County Acting Education Officer Wleh and the DEOs’ representative Plee have outlined plans for community involvement in the schools’ operational and academic activities when completed.
As part of this vision, the pair has proposed the establishment of committees that would include community members in the decision-making processes of the schools’ management, which, according to them, would further strengthen the partnership between the Education Ministry and the community.
Edited by Olando Testimony Zeongar.
