The Ministry of Education (MoE) has embarked on the distribution of civic textbooks to faith-based and private schools across the 26 education districts in Montserrado County.
The move, according to MoE authorities, is intended to ensure the reintroduction of Civic Education in to various schools that will enable students learn and inform about their fundamental rights as a citizens of Liberia.
Civics is considered as the study of the rights of citizens and their responsibilities to each other and their government, as it also entails instilling love for their country (patriotism) and a passion to develop a wholesome functional society.
Additionally, the civics books were re-written by former interim government President of the National Unity, the late Dr. Amos C. Sawyer.
Speaking during the start of the textbooks distribution recently at Voker Mission in Paynesville, Education Minister, Prof. Ansu D. Sonii revealed that the distributed books are for the elementary level.
Minister Sonii informed the students that the books will take them back to knowing what it means to be a responsible citizen of Liberia, noting, “Those of you who are under my voice today, these books are not for you. They are for the children in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.”
He maintained, “As you may be aware, citizenship comes with some responsibilities, and that is what is missing from our definition of citizenship in this part of the world.”
However, it has been more than three decades since Civics was officially taught in Liberian schools in an organized approach across the country until the government of President George M. Weah then decided to reintroduce the subject into all schools across the country in 2022/2023 academic year.
Furthermore, the return of Civic in schools was done under the auspices of the Civics and Service International (CSI), formerly Child Steps International, and it is meant for all junior and senior high schools in the country.
Minister Sonii further indicated that the reason some citizens, especially many of the young people, are oblivious of their responsibilities to the state, is because civics has not been taught in the school system for a while.
“I am grateful that the books here will be taught as they are, but they must have an impact on you. This country is ours, and we own it. When you own it, you preserve it; when you own it, you care for it; when you own it, you respect it; this is your country,”he added.
The widow of the late Dr.Amos C. Sawyer, Comfort T. Sawyer extolled the Liberian government for bringing back civics in school, stating, “My husband, Dr. Amos C. Sawyer, the brain behind these books, was a man who always thought ahead; I think that’s why God decided that he should go and rest.”
She at the same time noted further that her late husband worked so hard that some nights she would not have any sleep. “And I would tell him, oh my God, I cannot sleep because you work from 3:00 in the morning, you come home, you work till 3:00, you go to bed, get up by 5:30, and start working again till 6, what kind of man are you? Are you not tired? And my husband will tell me, he will rest when he dies.”
Source: africanentertainment.com
