YAI invests in early education
The American based organization Youth Action International (YAI) has announced that it is working in partnership with Mother Goose Time (MGT) and the International Child Resource Institute (ICRI) to launch an early childhood education program in Liberia. The program will be the only one of its kind in Liberia and is expected to make a significant impact on Liberia’s education system.
Speaking at a press conference to launch the new initiative, YAI’s founder and Executive Director Kimmie Weeks said that his organization had committed itself to improving Liberia’s education sector and after careful assessment had decided to focus its energies on early childhood education. “It was shocking to us how little attention is paid to preparing children at the pre-primary school level when they need the most attention and guidance.We wanted to target this area and have brought together a team of the world’s foremost experts on early childhood education to do just that.” Mr. Weeks outlined that Youth Action International would pilot the program in 65 schools this semester and once proven successful, the program would be gradually scaled up to the national level in its second year.
Mrs. Leslie Falconer, CEO of the US based Mother Goose Times whose company has been developing early childhood education materials for over twenty years said her entity had donated thousands of educational kits and tools that would allow YAI to carry out its pilot program. She said the partnership was rewarding for her company as it sets its eye on bringing quality education tools to young children around the world. Mrs. Falconer said that if the pilot and subsequent nationwide program was successful, or company would set up a publishing house in Liberia to produce needed materials locally while providing employment for local youths.
Ken Jaffe who is one of the world’s leading experts on early childhood development said that his organization would play a partner role with YAI and MGT by providing the expertise to specially train Liberian teachers in modern models for early childhood development. The training will also help Liberian teachers redesign their classroom to be more child friendly.Mr. Jaffe who has worked in more than 52 countries including Kenya, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Norway, Nepal says he is looking forward to bringing experiences and best practices from around the world to Liberia.
Youth Action International will work closely with its international partners and Liberia’s Ministry of education to ensure that the project is well developed and has maximum impact on Liberian children. Kimmie Weeks noted: “We have an incredible opportunity ahead of us to build a strong foundation for Liberian kids that will ensure that they do better later on in their life and can compete with kids around the world.”