| The purpose of the study was twofold: (1) to describe and document significant issues and developments that gave impetus to the growth and development of education in Liberia; and (2) to describe the current structure, curriculum content, and organization of education programs in teacher training colleges and institutions in the country.;The study was restricted to higher educational institutions in Liberia that are engaged in the education of teachers for Liberian schools.;A historical perspective on Liberian education is presented, which focuses on traditional education and Western education. Public schools, higher education, and teacher education have played important roles in the development of Liberia.;The writer selected, described, and documented several important issues in Liberian education including the nature of the curriculum, purposes of education, nature of society, role of teacher in curriculum matter, language of instruction, and quality of Liberian education.;The descriptive method was used to collect data. The writer relied mainly on library research and suggestions of his major professor.;Current teacher education programs in teacher training institutions in Liberia were reviewed, in order to identify the need for foundational studies program in teacher education. This was followed by the development of a rationale for foundational studies in higher educational institutions in Liberia.;It was concluded that the current educational system in Liberia lacks relevance, which creates numerous problems for Liberian educators. Liberian educators must create an educational system that corresponds to the needs of all Liberians. It was suggested that higher educational institutions provide the environment where this process can begin, because it is these institutions that train and educate the men and women who design, construct, and operate the schools.;It was recommended that foundational studies be a major part of teacher education programs in Liberia, and that an alternate language of instruction in the primary grades, preferably the predominant indigenous language of the area where the school is located, be substituted for English, the national language. |
