Global News and Journalists for Human Rights have teamed up to send four Global News reporters to Africa as part of the Shaw Africa Project.
Barry Acton of Global National and Laurel Clark of Global Edmonton were recently in Liberia. Global News followed their journey and their work over the course of several weeks.
Canadian students have a lot to overcome to reach university graduation. There’s the time commitment, the struggle of balancing work and studies and the prospect of graduating with a truckload of student debt.
Liberian students must overcome similar challenges, but they do so at a tremendous disadvantage. The country’s 14-year civil war destroyed schools, forced staff out and halted many students’ education. When the war ended in 2003, they faced the daunting task of playing catch up.
Today I was humbled to see some of those students graduate from the University of Liberia. More than 550 graduates received their diplomas – becoming doctors, teachers, lawyers, managers and other professionals.
Juah Cassell, vice president of the graduating class, estimates about 75 per cent of the grads are women. A 2011 UNICEF report shows female interest in education extends right down into the early years. The report indicates that between the 2005/2006 and 2008/2009 school years, public school enrolment increased by nearly 50 per cent. Thirty-three per cent of that figure represents female enrolment.
Could young girls’ interest in education be tied to Liberia making primary school mandatory? Or getting rid of school fees?
Perhaps the interest is due to inspiration. There’s no question some young girls saw Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf become the first elected female president in Africa and wanted to follow in her footsteps.
Whatever the reason, hearing pride in the voices of female grads is inspiring.
Comments