Liberia and Education

Liberia is a West African nation of 2.7 million persons occupying 42,989 square milesan area approximately equal in size to the State of Tennessee in the United States (Paxton, 1989, p. 802). The country's per capita gross national product of US$470 places it near to the bottom of the lower middleincome classification (The World Bank, 1989, p. 222).

By the year 2000, Liberia's population is projected to reach four million. With unemployment high in the early1990s, the growing population represents a major threat to the country's fragile economy. While education is looked to as an answer to this problem, the literacy rate is only 35 percent, and school attendance rates are relatively low20 percent at the secondary level, and 50 percent at the primary level (The World Bank, 1989, p. 262). A national uniform system of primary education was introduced in Liberia in 1986 (Florida State University, et al., 1986, p. 6). Full implementation of the system was planned for March 1991the end of the fifth year of program implementation (Florida State University, et al., 1986, p. 6).

Education is viewed in most parts of the world as a means through which national goals may be met. Developing countries in particular tend to regard education as an instrument through which economic and modernization goals may be pursued effectively. In such situations, national goals often tend to define the nature, purposes, and structure of the educational system. In turn

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te studies at Indiana State University. Data were collected from Mr. Forloma through the conduct of an interview in 1989. 8. Hickey, James. C., Rev., S.M.A. Rev. Hickey taught philosophy at the University of Liberia from 1984 to 1986. He served as principal of Fatima High School (Cape Palmas, Liberia) for 15 years (19691984), and taught at the same high school from 1959 to 1969. Since 1986. Rev. Hickey has been associated with Saint Mary's Academy in Washington. Rev. Hickey completed a data collection questionnaire for this study in 1989. 9. Johnson, Samuel. Mr. Johnson served as viceprincipal, Hartford High School (Grand Bassa County, Liberia) for 14 years (19731987). He came to the United States in 1987 to receive medical treatment. Mr. Johnson is currently pursuing an educational program in the United States. He completed a data collection questionnaire for this study in 1989. 10. Jones, Maude. Ms Jones served as an elementary school teacher in the Monrovia Consolidated School System for seven years (19791986). Since 1986, she has been working on a graduate program in the United States. Data were collected from Ms Jones through the conduct of an interview in 1989. 11. Koau, Lee Roy Wilfred. Mr. Koau

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