Liberia’s classrooms are set for a transformation. On Monday, Education Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah told the nation with the announcement that Civics Education is officially reintroduced at the primary school level, a move she described as vital to shaping responsible, informed, and active citizens.
Speaking at the 179th National Flag Day celebration at the Executive Pavilion in Monrovia, Jallah declared that civics must transcend rote memorization of symbols. “It is not enough to know the flag, sing the anthem, or recite national emblems,” she said. “Children must understand what it means to be citizens — to inherit responsibility and to shape Liberia’s future.”
The Minister emphasized that civics will now demand more from teachers and administrators. Lessons must go beyond textbooks and exams, instilling in students the essence of democracy, rights, responsibilities, and the ability to disagree respectfully without hostility.
To anchor this vision, Jallah unveiled standardized Civics textbooks, produced with the support of Wahala Publishing Company, ensuring schools nationwide have the tools to teach citizenship effectively.
But Jallah was clear: schools cannot carry the burden alone. She called on parents, communities, and public officials to model good citizenship, reminding Liberians that children learn as much from adult behavior as from classroom instruction. “If we want responsible citizens, we must show them responsibility in action,” she urged.
The reintroduction of Civics Education, Jallah said, is designed to build a generation that respects democratic values, embraces civic duties, and contributes actively to national development. By teaching children not only the meaning of the Lone Star but also the responsibilities it represents, Liberia is investing in a future where patriotism is lived, not just recited.
Her message resonated with the Flag Day theme of unity and renewal: Liberia’s children must not only salute the flag — they must live citizenship.
