J.10 -Liberia National Educators’ Awards Program (LINEAP) Presentation.pdf

Ministry of Education

Liberia National Educators’ Awards Program (LINEAP)

Charles Gbollie, PhD Focal Person

Liberia National Educators’ Awards Program

April 12, 2022

1.Introduction

• Many professions are confronted with different challenges.

• The teaching profession is no exception.

• Especially in developing countries such like Liberia, educators normally work under strenuous circumstances.

• To ensure teachers conduct their roles and responsibilities effectively and efficiently, they need to be supported and motivated.

• It has been established that motivation impacts what occurs in classrooms as well as the impact teachers have on students’ learning and development.

• For instance, it has been observed that motivated teachers are more open to: New ideas, willing to experiment with new methods, work longer with students who are struggling, intensify their efforts when their performance falls short of their goals, and persist longer.

• A study on motivational impact of school-based performance awards suggests that the award program motivated teachers largely to create conditions that increase their intrinsic motivation and efforts, such as opportunities for professional collaboration, feedback on student performance, a clear goal focus, and alignment of organizational resources.

1.1 Rationale

• The need for quality and professional teachers in the

Liberian education system cannot be overstated.

• This is because teachers play the singularly most important role in facilitating student learning and performance.

• Some things may be lacking in a school and it still operates relatively well, but not good and motivated teachers.

• Accordingly, the education system cannot function properly nor succeed without professional and motivated teachers.

• The need for quality and professional teachers in the Liberian education system cannot be overstated.

• This is because teachers play the singularly most important role in facilitating student learning and performance.

• Some things may be lacking in a school and it still operates relatively well, but not good and motivated teachers.

• Accordingly, the education system cannot function properly nor succeed without professional and motivated

• It can be concluded that everything rises and falls on

• With well-professionalized teachers, effective learning is possible. Thus, learners are bound to thrive and succeed.

• In spite of numerous challenges, teachers continue to work tirelessly to provide education for Liberian children and foreign residents, thus maintaining the respect and sanctity of the teaching profession.

• It is essential that their efforts do not go unnoticed or unacknowledged.

Intervention

• MoE and its partners intend to introduce Liberia Educators’

Award Program (LEAP) as a means of inspiring and motivating teachers and school administrators to intensify their efforts to holistically transform the lives of learners.

• Basically, the purpose of LEAP is to recognize and reward excellent teaching and outstanding contributions of teachers to the teaching profession.

• Through a competitive and transparent process, the scheme will annually identify the unique contribution of Liberia’s finest teachers and honor them.

• The Ministry sees such endeavor a significant step in recognizing, appreciating and motivating teachers to remain devoted to the teaching profession.

• This would have positive impact on recruitment, retention, job satisfaction and performance of teachers in Liberia.

• Research on teacher motivation has demonstrated that the motivation of teachers is closely corelated to a number of variables in education such as student motivation, educational reform, teaching practice and teachers’ psychological fulfilment and well-being.

1.2 Objectives

• To recognize and celebrate excellence in teaching.

• To acknowledge the sacrifices and devotion of teachers in transforming the lives of learners.

• To promote the essence of education in Liberia and the role of teachers in its provision.

• To acknowledge the impacts of best educators, not only on their students but on their communities, county or country.

• To build the capacity and status of teachers to ensure that the quality of teaching is enhanced, meant to encourage better outcomes for all learners.

1.3 Vision

•To recognize and reward excellence and outstanding contributions in teaching and learning in Liberia.

2.Categories of Awards

• As a means of recognizing and celebrating the unique contributions of educators to the Liberian education system, three categories of awards are proposed.

• The National Best Teacher Award (National Best Teacher of the Year) is considered the most prestigious prize of

LEAP.

• It is given to a teacher with the most unique and outstanding contribution to the teaching profession in Liberia every year.

• The winner of the prize will be selected from among winners of the County Best Teachers’ Award.

2.Categories of Awards

• The County Best Teacher Award (County Best Teacher of the Year) is given to a teacher for unique and outstanding contribution to the teaching profession at the county level.

• The prize shall be considered the most important prize at a county level.

• The Best School Principal/ Administrator Award (National Best School Principal/ Administrator of the Year Award) is provided in recognition and appreciation of excellent school leadership, which exemplifies unique and innovative contributions to school reform and improved student learning outcomes.

• The winner of the prize shall be selected at national level.

3.Application and Selection Process

• The Liberia Educators’ Award Program selection process is a competitive and merit-based awards’ program.

• Following the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by an Independent Awards Committee (IAC). After a thorough review, the IAC shall identify 4-5 semi-finalists for the County Best Teacher (each county) and School Principal/Administrator Awards’ categories, respectively.

• The chosen 4-5 semi-finalists for each county will be interviewed by a selected sub-committee at their respective counties.

3.Application and Selection Process

• In-person interviews will be encouraged at their county capitals.

• Winners at County Best Teacher Awards for all counties will be required to attend the mandatory in-person interview for the National Best Teacher Award (National Best Teacher of the Year) prize if said candidate is interested in participating in this round, which shall be conducted by the IAC.

• This includes 4-5 semi-finalists for the Best School Principal/ Administrator Award (National Best School Principal/ Administrator of the Year Award).

• These in-person interviews shall be conducted in Monrovia.

3.2 Eligibility Criteria

• LEAP is open to all current teachers in Liberia (public and private) with demonstrable evidence of spending at least 10 hours per week teaching children face-to-face over the past two years and plan to remain in the teaching profession for the next two years.

• Applicants for Best School Principal/ Administrator Award (National Best School Principal/ Administrator of the Year Award) must have been in a school leadership role for a minimum of two years over the past period, still in the active role and plan to remain in the teaching profession for the next two years.

3.3 Criteria for Selection

• Proven record of employing effective instructional practices that are replicable and scalable to influence the quality of education in Liberia.

• Demonstrated ability of employing innovative instructional practices that address specific challenges of the school, community or county with some evidence that they positively influence student learning and achievement.

• Proven record of improved student learning outcomes in the classroom and/or national exams.

• Demonstrated interest and willingness to serve the community beyond the school environment.

3.3 Criteria for Selection

• A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in helping children become productive citizens through essential cultural values and norms among others.

• A commitment to the teaching profession as well as ethical and professional standards that inspire fellow teachers and others to value the profession.

• The ability to work cooperatively with others, irrespective of differences.

• The ability to fulfill the duties of the award.

3.4 Composition of IAC

• The IAC shall comprise one representative each from the

Center of Excellence for Education Administration, Certification and Accreditation, Teacher Education, National Principals Association, National Teachers Association, Education Secretariats, Teacher Training Colleges, Civil Society, Partners/Donors, etc. The Deputy Minister for Instruction shall serve as Ex-officio to the IAC.

• County level sub-committee shall include, the CEO, 2 DEOs, County School Board, Local Authority, IAC Representative shall serve as Ex-Officio, etc.

4.Application Timeline Application is both online and hardcopy!

• March 1, 2022 | Application opens

• March 31, 2022 | Application deadline

• (It was extended to April 22, 2022)

• May 9, 2022 –June 8, 2022 | Semifinalists interviewed at county level

• June 20, 2022 – June 24, 2022 | Applicants notified of their status

• July 5, 2022 –July 22, 2022 | Finalists/County Winners interviewed (National)

• August 8-12, 2022 | Applicants notified of their status

• August 24, 2022 | Presentation of awards

5.Presentation of Awards

• The awards shall be presented by the President of the Republic of

Liberia.

6.Proposed Budget Items Amount in

LRD

Estimated

Equivalent in

USD

Activity 1. Prizes 3,925,000 19,625 Presidential National Best Teacher Award 1,000,000 $5,000 County Best Teacher Award (100,000/500USD per winner)

1,500,000 $7,500

Education Minister’s National Best School Principal/ Administrator Award

300,000 1,500

County Best School Principal/ Administrator Award (75,000/375)

1,125,000 $5,625

Activity 2: Operations 1,700,000 8,500 Activity 3: Transportation & DSA 1,000,000 5,000 Post-Award Projects (Best Teacher & Principal) 950,000 4,750

Activity 4: Miscellaneous 100,000 500 Grand Total 7,675,000 $38,375

❖ Note: Funding for Post-Award Projects is meant to empower the National Best Teacher Award (National Best Teacher of the Year) and the Best School Principal/ Administrator Award (National Best School Principal/ Administrator of the Year Award) to identify appropriate projects to implement during the year of winning the prize.

❖ The projects are not restricted but would have to be approved by the IAC in consultation with the Senior Management Team of MoE.

Brief highlights: Progress and Next Steps Core Activity Status/Progress Next Steps/

Action(s) needed Responsible

Independent Awards Committee

∙ Constituted ∙ Several meetings and work sessions held ∙ Other actions initiated

∙ Continue activities, including vetting

∙ IAC

Application & publicity

∙ Website developed with online ∙ Held press conference held… ∙ Participated in MICAT Briefing ∙ Held talks on ELBC, Truth, Spoon ∙ Banners & flyers printed—being distributed; announcements & jingle being aired

∙ Ongoing ∙ MoE

∙ IAC

Engagements & vetting

∙ EOs and subcommittees ∙ More planned activities, vetting, etc.

∙ Ongoing ∙ IAC

LET’S DO IT….!!!

Let’s recognize & appreciate our teachers

THANKS

Questions & Comments