12/10/2026
Beyond Training: Liberia’s Education Leaders Prepare to Turn New Knowledge into Classroom Change
Effective school leadership is about more than managing schools. It requires guiding teachers, strengthening classroom instruction, and ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to succeed. For education leaders who participated in the recently concluded Leadership Training under the Leaders in Teaching (LIT) project, these responsibilities are now being viewed through a stronger focus on teaching quality and student learning.
Held from October 5–9 2026, across several counties in Liberia, including B**g, Nimba, and Montserrado, the weeklong training brought together school principals, District Education Officers (DEOs), and County Education Officers (CEOs) to strengthen their leadership and supervisory skills. Organized through the partnership involving Education Development Center (EDC), the Ministry of Education, and implementing partners, the training explored how effective mentoring, coaching, school assessment, and student-centered teaching can contribute to better learning experiences.
For Williamson Laywhyee, a District Education Officer (DEO), narrated that one of the most important lessons was the value of mentoring and coaching in helping teachers move beyond familiar teaching practices. He noted that resistance to new ideas remains a challenge in some schools, making continuous guidance and follow-up essential to ensuring that teachers apply improved instructional approaches. Reflecting on the training, he said, “One of the challenges I face in my area is acceptance of new ideas.” He described the training as a reinforcement of his ongoing efforts to guide teachers and school administrators toward more effective approaches to instruction.
At school level, Christiana Nyanfore, Principal of Unification Town Public High School in Yekepa, Nimba County, emphasized the importance of equipping school leaders to mentor teachers and respond to students’ different learning needs. Highlighting the responsibility of school leaders to support teachers through change, she said, “As a leader, I should be patient and still mentor them so they can get on the right path with the teaching in my school.” Her perspective underscores the importance of patience, guidance, and continuous support in encouraging more student-centered instruction.
Kou Nyan, DEO for Saclepea 2 Education District in Nimba County, also stressed that the training’s focus on effective teaching, competency development, and stronger school supervision. She highlighted the importance of deepening education leaders’ knowledge so they can better assess teaching practices and support schools. However, she noted that transportation difficulties, overcrowded classrooms, and teacher shortages remain practical challenges affecting supervision and classroom instruction.
From Montserrado County, Emma Nyanfor, a District Education Officer (DEO), highlighted a key shift in her approach to school assessment: looking beyond infrastructure and teacher qualifications to examine students’ progress. Explaining this, she said, “We also need to include students’ improvement in our assessment.” Her perception reinforces the importance of looking beyond what schools have to examine what learners are actually gaining from classroom instruction.
With the training now concluded, the real opportunity lies in how participants apply these lessons in their respective schools and districts. Through consistent supervision, patient mentoring, stronger instructional leadership, and closer attention to student progress, these education leaders can help create school environments where teachers are better supported and learners are more actively engaged.
Eventually, the success of leadership development will be measured not only by the knowledge gained during training, but by how that knowledge translates into stronger teaching practices and better learning opportunities for students across Liberia.
