By Langston Joe Wilson, LINA Maryland County Correspondent
PLEEBO, Sept. 30 (LINA) – The Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas has dedicated a newly constructed high school facility in Pleebo City, marking a significant investment in secondary education and youth development in southeastern Liberia.
The facility – an extension of the Nazareth Preparatory School, was officially commissioned on September 24 during a ceremony attended by education authorities, church leaders, teachers, parents, students and community members.
Speaking during the dedication program, Bishop Andrew J. Karnley described the project as a testament to the Catholic Church’s enduring commitment to education and the holistic development of young people.
According to Bishop Karnley, Catholic education seeks not only to impart academic knowledge but also to promote discipline, moral values, character formation and responsible citizenship.
“The school stands for the total development of the human person. It is not only about providing knowledge, but also about character formation,” the Bishop said.
He noted that while the new facility represents a major milestone, additional investments and resources will be required to fully equip the institution and maintain high educational standards.
The Bishop said the project was made possible through support from Kindermissionswerk, a Germany-based donor organization, and another benefactor in Rome, Italy.
He explained that the facility belongs to the Sisters of the Holy Family, who for years operated the institution from temporary structures before the construction and refurbishment of the new campus.
When fully operational, the school is expected to accommodate more than 1,000 students.
Bishop Karnley further disclosed that a similar educational project is underway in Barclayville, Grand Kru County.
However, he noted that the initiative has faced setbacks due to the alleged theft of construction materials and poor road conditions affecting transportation to the site.
Meanwhile, Dr. Olu Q. Menjay, President of William V.S. Tubman University, lauded the Catholic Church for its continued contribution to educational development in Maryland County and neighboring areas.
As a gesture of support, Dr. Menjay pledged five laptop computers to strengthen teaching, learning and administrative operations at the institution.
Nazareth Preparatory School currently provides instruction from nursery through ninth grade and remains one of the prominent Catholic-run educational institutions in Pleebo, alongside the renowned St. Francis High School.