By: Peter Kollie
Lofa County ,Zorzor City—Thursday, February 27,2025- The Zorzor Rural Teachers Training Institute (ZRTTI) in Lofa County has been officially upgraded to offer “B” Certificate training, elevating its status as a hub for teacher education in rural Liberia.
The announcement was made over the weekend by Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Education, Atty. Nyekeh Y. Forkpa, during the induction ceremony of the institute’s new Director, Abe Kortu Kerkula. Deputy Minister Forkpa speaking on behalf of Education Minister Dr. Jarso Marley Jallah described the upgrade as a significant step towards improving secondary education in public schools in the country.
The new “B” Certificate program, set to be introduced next week at the Webbo Rural Teachers Training Institute, aims to enhance teacher competency and curriculum standards. Minister Forkpa emphasized that strengthening teacher training programs and faculty development is crucial for delivering quality education and driving sustainable national development.
A Rich History of Teacher Training
Located in Fissebu, just outside Zorzor, ZRTTI was established in 1960 through a partnership between the Liberian government and Tuskegee University, making it Liberia’s first teacher training institute. The campus spans approximately 1,000 acres and includes 61 structures, such as academic buildings, dormitories, a library, and a student center.
Before Liberia’s civil war, the country’s three Rural Teacher Training Institutes (RTTIs) played pivotal role in preparing quality classroom teachers. However, the conflict left these institutions in ruins. In 2007, USAID, through the Liberia Community Infrastructure Program (LCIP), provided a $2.5 million grant to rehabilitate ZRTTI, alongside similar efforts in Margibi and River Gee counties.
By 2009, the RTTIs resumed their mission, graduating 449 elementary-level teacher trainees with “C” Certificates. The recent upgrade to “B” Certificate status marks a new chapter for ZRTTI, allowing it to train teachers for secondary education.
A New Era under Director Kerkula
Newly appointed Director Abe Kortu Kerkula, a seasoned educator with 19 years of experience as principal of St. Augustine Episcopal Mission High School in Margibi County, shared his vision for ZRTTI. He pledged to modernize the curriculum, promote ongoing professional development for trainers, and align the institute with contemporary educational standards.
Director Kerkula acknowledged the institution’s challenges, including understaffing in critical areas like security and maintenance. He called on the Liberian government and lawmakers from Lofa, Bong, and Nimba counties to increase funding and support for teacher training programs.
Sustaining the Momentum
Assistant Minister for Teacher Education, Clifford Konah Jr., recalled the initial pilot of the “B” Certificate program at Kakata RTTI in 2015. He admitted that sustaining the program after the pilot phase was difficult but expressed optimism under the current administration’s renewed commitment to teachers’ education.
With the program officially launched, ZRTTI now faces a promising yet demanding future. As Director Kerkula steps into his new leadership role, the institute’s success will depend on sustained government support, faculty development, and a collective effort to restore ZRTTI as a beacon of teacher training excellence in rural Liberia.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
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