A Formation of an Institution of Higher Learning in Liberia, a Polytechnic approach Professor D Ansu Sonii, whose professional life covers nearly five (5) decades in the education space of Liberia, has together with Mrs. Adolay M. Sonii decided to invest their life earnings beyond children care into the works of education for the sole purpose of a private contribution to the national development efforts of Liberia, the home of their nativity. The couple have both worked in Liberia in several capacities managerial and otherwise and have been resident in Liberia for the most part of their lives except for period of travels for further education and other work-related purposes. The decision to invest in education has been informed by the need to do so, and the passion associated therewith.
It has been proven over and again that the leap forward into national development on all fronts began with the development of the population through relevant quality education. Develop countries are typical proofs that an educated population is an enlightened population cognizant of their responsibility
to themselves and to their country. The speed of change influenced by the digital intervention has become irreversible and all nations must wake up to the challenge of becoming comparable in the comity of nations.
The formation of the United Nations in latter 1940s post World War II was intentional, given the experiences of two successive World Wars in the same century, where the rule of the game was might makes right and the strong suppresses the weak at will. In response to creating a platform to advert the repeat of that 1900 madness, it was believed that a good fresh start, was to establish a global body open to all nations of the world small and big, rich and poor, developed, developing and underdeveloped, to
sit around a table as equals, though they are not, and deliberate matters of common concerns, especially concerning peace, stability, liberty and protection of the rights of global citizens everywhere in all regards. Among the many human “rights” concerns is the right to education for all citizens regardless of race, creed, beliefs and nationality. The United Nations has therefore charged all nations and governments to do justice to this particular right as if all others are dependent on it, and rightly so.
In the race for national development many countries have left others behind, simply because of the imbalance in their respective attention to Education as a major key to the national cause for changing the narratives in the development agendas. To minimize this imbalance somewhat, the United Nations took an exception in the disproportional developmental growth rates of member nations in 1970, and intentionally categorized nations into blocks based on respective standings when compared on the development chart. In that regard, the association, so to speak, of LDCs (Least Developed Countries) were formed with an expectation that they shall all transition to developed statuses or substantially developed in a space of 50 years by the year 2020. The criteria for transition are several, but high on that list is the education of the population. At the 2020 United Nation conference of LCDs held in Doha Quartar, it was established that barely 10% of the LCDs had satisfied the conditions for transitioning beyond this category.
Article 6 of the Liberian Constitution states: “The Republic shall, because of the vital role assigned to the individual citizen under this constitution for social, economic and political wellbeing of Liberia, provide equal access to educational opportunities and facilities for all citizens to the extent of available resources. Emphasis shall be placed on the mass education of the Liberian people and the elimination of illiteracy.” The framing of the constitution assumes that education enables the citizen to fulfill his / her roles to the growth and development of the country as attributed to them by that organic law. While the nation pursues the fulfillment of this constitutional mandate, it also has the responsibility to respond to other social services alongside governance and general development to the extent of resources. Given ourunderstanding of the workings of government and the limitation of its resources when compared to theneeds, we Mrs. Sonii and I have committed ourselves to participate in a meaningful way in responding to the dictates of Article 6 of the constitution as quoted.
This private citizen intervention by the Sonii educational foundation has two tiers. Phase one was initiated nearly 8 years ago, with the establishment of a credible high standard Early Childhood through Junior Secondary School Program situated in Virginia, Liberia. This intervention is in response need of the education sector. Many will agree that our choice for intervention in partnership with the government and other private providers, could not be better selected. Following 8 years of impactful existence of the DAS Foundation Academy, phase one of the Sonii Educational Foundation the Team has embarked on the second phase of its intervention, which pertains
to the delivery of higher education in Liberia. In that regard, the relevant framework for the development of an HEI of excellence with authority to offer degrees in disciplines of preference pivotal for enhancing the quality of learning in the sector, and to create opportunities for merited employment for its graduates both in Liberia and probably elsewhere. Among the many prerequisites for accreditation and licensure, is the adequacy and quality of the learning environment, which but for equipment is substantially available for occupancy.