The House of Representatives Committee on Education, has begun an inquiry into the status and challenges surrounding the Adult Literacy Program.
The inquiry became necessary following concerns over the apparent inactivity of the initiative in schools and communities nationwide.
The probe followed a communication Montserrado County Electoral District #5 Representative, Priscilla Abram Cooper, submitted to plenary.
Re. Cooper requested the appearance of MoE officials before the Committee to provide updates on the status of the adult literacy education.
In her communication addressed to Plenary, Rep. Cooper said, the Adult Literacy Program, which previously served as a vital avenue for adults and disadvantaged citizens to access basic education, has become inactive.
She stressed the importance of adult education to national development, empowerment, and the reduction of illiteracy.
Rep. Cooper also sought clarification from the Ministry on the current status of the program; reasons for its apparent decline; government plans for restoration, and measures to ensure adults seeking educational opportunities are not left behind.
When appeared before the Committee on behalf of the Ministry, Acting Minister Nyekeh Forkpa, acknowledged the failure of the program.
Forkpa admitted that currently, the program faces operational and financial challenges.
He attributed the failure to the lack of direct budgetary support to many adult literacy initiatives that are currently run by non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Forkpa informed the Committee that only a limited number of adult literacy centers remain operational, particularly within Monrovia, while efforts are ongoing to review and validate the national curriculum to ensure full ownership by the MoE.
In a related development, the House has cited Posts and Telecommunications Minister and deputies to appear before Information Committee on Wednesday, May 27.
The Plenary mandated the Minister along with his deputies to appear before the Committee on Information, Broadcasting and Tourism to address growing concerns surrounding telecommunications, broadcasting and digital media sectors.
The decision followed a communication submitted by Pleebo Sodokan Electoral District #2 Representative, Anthony F. Williams, who raised concerns over the continued prioritization of foreign content by major broadcasting service providers, particularly DSTV and similar platforms, at the expense of Liberian content and local creative productions.
Williams said, the situation has significantly undermined the growth of creative industry, weakened cultural promotion, and reduced opportunities for Liberian artists, filmmakers, and media professionals to gain both visibility and economic benefit.