On Friday, September 13, 2019, Kids’ Educational Engagement Project (KEEP) dedicated its 14th “Reading Room” at the Nyakoi Bee Public school in Palala, Panta-Kpaai district, Bong County.
The dedication ceremony was attended by local government officials including the County Education Officers -CEO & DEO-, representative from the office of the District Commissioner and the general town chief. Others include the administration of the Nyakoi Bee Public school, the PTA, women and youth leaders and the students.
Making brief remarks at the dedication program, the General Town Chief of Palala, Madam Doris Dolokwelai thanked KEEP and the local education authority for the reading room project. She encouraged the parents especially other women to work with their children to make use of the facility. “Please keep the doors of the room open to the children every day of the week.” She encouraged the teachers. Madam Dolokwelai pleaded with the students to use their time in the reading room rather than only playing all around in the community.
Also at the event, the chairperson of the Parent Teachers Associations “(PTA),” Mr. Andrew P. Sayque told the students that the project is mainly established for them and they should make the reading room their most loved place to be. He further thanked KEEP for selecting their community school to be the first to benefit from its initiative in Bong County.
Meanwhile, the County Education Officer of Bong County, Hon. Armand N. Varvley congratulated and described KEEP as a true partner to the Ministry of Education. He called on the students to take responsibility of the reading room. “The facility is for you, please make use of it.” “Reading is Light”, he told the students. He further cautioned the teachers that the facility is not established to beautified the campus or for them (teachers) to make it as their new office but for the students to use it. He then asked everyone in the community to be the security for the facility by keeping watch of it day and night. Hon. Varvley calls on KEEP to extend its endeavors to other parts of Bong County for other children to benefit as those of Palala
The Board Chair of KEEP, Mrs. Chantal Doe called on the parents to encourage their children to go to the reading room every day. “Education is reading.” She told them. She further asked the principal of the school to work with her staff to help the children use the materials in the reading room carefully. Mrs. Doe said to build a nation lies within the hands of the teachers because they (teachers) are the ones who builds the foundation of every successful human being. She than asked the County Education Officer, Hon. Varvley to make sure a proper monitoring measures are put in place for the efficient and effective use of the reading room. “If you encourage us (KEEP) by using the facility regularly, we shall become real and long term partners.” She said. She encouraged the students to take advantage of the glorious opportunity brought to their school in order to have a good foundation. “Forget about having too much fun and pleasure in the community. “Real fun and pleasure come when you are educated and have everything at your reach.” She told the students.
The room has a seating capacity of up to 80 students and the creation of the room cost U$20,682 and was made possible through the partnership with the Global Neighborhood Fund and through donations of Liberians across Liberia and the USA.
