KAKATA, Margibi – The Salvation Army has dedicated a newly constructed school in Kakata that includes elementary, junior, and senior secondary levels.

The facility was dedicated by General André Cox, the international head of the over 1-million-persons Salvation Army denomination. The new school was named in honor of a former Salvation Army general, Albert Osborn.

The school was constructed by the Salvation Army Liberia with funding from Salvation Army International.

The school has 12 classrooms, four offices, a library, toilet facilities, and a basketball court.

Cox said academic success is not about simply having a good school and good environment as it requires students to engage in their learning. He called on students to take their learning opportunity seriously.

André Cox, international head of the Salvation Army. Photo: Emmanuel Degleh

“I urge you not only to study with your minds and your heads but open your hearts,” Cox said. “Liberia needs a generation of young people, who will stand up, who will make the difference, who will change and transform this nation.”

The Salvation Army world leader said for Liberia to move forward, it needs the collective efforts of everyone. He noted that the Salvation Army would continue to remain a partner to Liberia’s development agenda by breaking down walls and barriers in meeting the needs of people.

Salvation Army Liberia’s education director, David Massaquoi, said the dedication of the Albert Osborn School means that there are now four senior secondary schools operated by Salvation Army in Liberia.

Massaquoi said the Len Miller, William Booth, and the John Gowans High Schools have made meaningful impacts in producing some of Liberia’s best minds.

He added that unlike other mission schools that came to Liberia during the 1800s and 1900s, the Salvation Army came to Liberia during the heat of the civil crisis and has since joined the competition in making significant impact in the education system.

“In 1992, when the bullets were flying, and human lives were being lost, we were building walls for classrooms and preparing the minds of the youth,” Massaquoi said.

Massaquoi said the Salvation Army believes in academic excellence, gender sensitivity, as well as the rights of children. He said the Salvation Army runs a school system with quality and affordable education that appeals to low income earners.

Feature photo by Emmanuel Degleh