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Division 24 Students Head Back To School
Firestone reopens elementary school, offers free education and brighter future
HARBEL, Liberia, West Africa (March 30, 2006)- The Division 24 Elementary School has been reopened as part of efforts by Firestone Liberia to ensure that school-age children of employees are able to return to their studies and receive free education. The initial enrollment of the school stands at 154 students, a number schools and FAWUL authorities say is expected to shortly increase following the ongoing family registration exercise.
The Division 24 School is among several schools renovated after they were damaged during the civil war. In addition to the new classrooms, Firestone Liberia also stocked the institution with supplementary text books, desks and other relevant school supplies for use by the students.
The Supervisor of the Firestone School System, Mr. Charles Massalay, who cut the ribbon, commended Firestone Liberia for the high level of interest it continues to show in the education of children of its employees and those within the concession area and its environs.
Mr. Massalay used the occasion to call on parents to take advantage of what he referred to as “the glorious opportunity” Firestone continues to provide by encouraging their children to attend and remain in school at all times for a better and prosperous future.
Accepting the keys of the buildings, the first female principal of the Division 24 School, Mrs. Rebecca Dabe, urged the students to utilize their time and energy in school. Mrs. Dabe whose remarks were punctuated by a round of applauses said that as educators, she and her co-workers are committed to the process of molding the minds of the children to better prepare them for future services to their country and people.
The Public Affairs Manager of Firestone, Mr. G. Rufus Karmorh, lauded the cooperative efforts of Firestone Liberia and the educators in ensuring that school supplies and competent instructional staff are placed at the disposal of employees’ children attending the Firestone School System.
Mr. Karmorh said: “We are excited to welcome these elementary students into their new classrooms.” He further said that, “Firestone firmly believes that education is the key that will allow these children to build a prosperous future for themselves and for their country. This is why Firestone remains firmly committed to providing its employees’ school-age children with an education free of charge.”
He underscored that these school children can look up to many prominent role models in Liberia who 
came through the Firestone educational system. Mr. Karmorh cited Dr. Roland Massaquoi, Former Agriculture Minister; Madam Krubo Kollie, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal Affairs; and Mr. Michael Sahr of UNMIL as some of those who passed through the walls of the Firestone School System.
The reopening of the Division 24 Elementary School also coincided with the turning over of four additional housing units to teachers of the school for immediate occupancy.
The reopening of the Division 24 School brings to 17 the number of Firestone schools that are now open and operating. The colorful occasion was well-attended by residents of the Division 24 community, as well as Estates Superintendents Railey Jallah and Patrick Dunor.
