This study investigated teacher education and training in Liberia. The literature reviewed in this chapter is discussed with respect to (1) teacher education in Liberia, and (2) areas related to teacher education in Liberia, such as recruitment and retention of personnel for the teaching profession.
Studies which have dealt with teacher education in Liberia are reviewed in this section. Some older studies are reviewed because their findings illustrate the persistency and continuing character of some of the problems confronting teacher education in Liberia. The new studies and reports identify the current problems facing teacher education in Liberia.C. A. Mehaffey
The primary purpose of the Mehaffey study (1980, p. 6) was to assess the problems facing teacher education institutions in Liberia, as well as the progress made by these institutions. The researcher relied exclusively on secondary sources for the data required to conduct the investigation. The study found that Tubman Teachers College (University of Liberia), and Cuttington University College were both doing credible jobs, but that the efforts of the lower level teacher education institutions in the country were inadequate. Further, the study found that too few qualified students were taking advantage of the teacher education programs offered by Tubman Teachers College and Cuttington University College.
White (1978, p. 3) investigated the status of pre service teacher education in Liberia. White relied on a combination of literature search and personal interview to collect the data required for her study. Her most important findings were that an absence of adequate financial incentives, the employment of unqualified personnel as teachers, and inadequate opportunities for professional growth were the primary factors causing the crisis in the recruitment and retention of public school teachers in Liberia.
Nutting, Mason, Bolor, Reed, and Jackson
Brief stud...