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Plan to test Liberian schoolchildren for drugs blocked

October 17th, 2025

By Moses Kollie Garzeawu

Monrovia, Liberia, Africa

Liberia's Education Ministry has blocked controversial plans to introduce mandatory drug testing in all of the country's schools.

Speaking to local media, the interim head of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Fitzgerald Biago, said school testing would help address the growing problem of drug abuse.

The announcement sparked a mixed response. Some thought it would help tackle the scourge of drugs, while others saw it as an invasion of privacy, or feared it would cost too much.

Last year, President Joseph Boakai declared drug and substance abuse a national emergency and a recent EU-backed report estimated that one in five young Liberians take drugs.

However, the Education Ministry said it was not aware of any plans to test students and added that such a decision needed to be based on concrete evidence and properly thought through.

Assistant minister in charge of students Sona Toure-Sesay told the BBC that this kind of plan required proper research. "Let's assume we are made aware of the proposed initiatives by the LDEA, it will require us to conduct research and review case studies from other countries where this has been successful," she said.  

Toure-Sesay also noted that testing could affect students. "What happens to students who test positive? What are the social services in place for them? Some of them might be bullied even after returning, and it may affect their overall educational performances."

She added that a multi-sectoral committee on drug and substance abuse had been set up, headed by the Health Ministry. Along with strengthening health clubs in schools, she said that this would help to reduce the prevalence of drugs among students.

President Boakai dismissed the leadership of the LDEA in August this year, and recently appointed Biago, a former senior police officer, as interim head of the agency.

Taken from:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mxz3x1lr7o  

Texto: Challenges in Global Education Systems

    Education is a fundamental pillar of societal development, but many global education systems face significant challenges that hinder their ability to provide equal and quality learning opportunities. These challenges vary from country to country but share common themes such as inequality, lack of resources, outdated curricula, and the rapid pace of technological change.

    One of the most pressing challenges in global education systems is inequality. In many parts of the world, access to quality education is not universal, and disparities in educational opportunities persist along socioeconomic, geographic, and gender lines. In low-income countries, educational infrastructure may be underdeveloped, with inadequate classrooms, outdated textbooks, and insufficient access to digital technologies. Rural areas often face more severe challenges, with limited access to schools or well-trained teachers. Similarly, marginalized communities — such as girls in some parts of Africa or indigenous populations — face cultural and societal barriers that prevent them from accessing education. In wealthier countries, while access to education may not be an issue, disparities remain within local communities, particularly in urban areas. Students from lowerincome backgrounds may face challenges in accessing tutoring, extracurricular activities, and the technology required for modern learning. Addressing these inequities is crucial to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

    Another significant challenge in global education systems is the outdated nature of curricula and teaching methods. In many cases, education systems are still based on models from the 19th or 20th centuries, designed to meet the needs of an industrialized economy rather than a knowledge-based, technology-driven society. Traditional curricula often emphasize rote learning and memorization rather than critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving — skills that are essential in today’s globalized world. Moreover, teaching methods may be rigid, focusing on passive learning rather than active student engagement. This makes it difficult for students to develop the skills necessary to thrive in modern workplaces, where adaptability, innovation, and collaboration are highly valued.

    In many parts of the world, education systems have been slow to adapt to the integration of digital technologies and 21st-century learning strategies. Without updating curricula to reflect the demands of the modern world, students may leave school without the skills needed to succeed in higher education or the workforce. A lack of effective teacher training is another challenge that impacts global education systems. Teachers are the heart of any educational system, and their ability to deliver quality instruction directly affects student outcomes.

    In recent years, technology has become a critical part of the education system. However, the digital divide remains a significant barrier to achieving global educational equity. While students in wealthier countries have easy access to digital tools, high-speed internet, and online resources, students in low-income or rural areas often lack access to the necessary technology. The COVID19 pandemic highlighted these disparities, as many students in underserved communities struggled with remote learning due to limited access to devices or reliable internet connections. The digital divide not only limits access to education but also prevents students from gaining essential digital skills that are crucial in today’s job market.

    The pressures of academic performance, social media, and external expectations can take a toll on students’ mental well-being. In highpressure educational systems, students may experience stress, anxiety, and burnout, which can hinder their ability to focus, learn, and succeed. Additionally, a lack of access to mental health resources or support services further exacerbates these issues. Teachers, too, face significant mental health challenges. The demands of managing large classrooms, addressing diverse learning needs, and meeting educational standards can lead to burnout and job dissatisfaction. Addressing mental health and well-being for both students and educators is essential for creating a healthy and effective learning environment.

    In conclusion, the challenges faced by global education systems are multifaceted and complex, ranging from inequality and outdated curricula to teacher training and the digital divide. These challenges impact not only the quality of education but also the future success and wellbeing of students. To overcome these issues, it is crucial for governments, educational institutions, and communities to collaborate on innovative solutions that address the root causes of these challenges. By investing in equitable access to education, updating curricula, enhancing teacher training, and integrating technology, we can create a more inclusive and effective global education system that equips students for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

Taken and adapted from:

https://portaleducoas.org/challenges-in-globaleducation-systems/

•Use Text I for question.

TEXT I

HOW TO COPE WITH THE SUNDAY SCARIES

by Chantelle Lee

    ________(1) Sunday night, and you’re feeling sad and anxious about going back to work in the morning.

    Say hello to the Sunday scaries 

   You’re not alone in your workweek dread: “They’re very, very common,” says Susanne Cooperman, a neuropsychologist and psychoanalyst at New York University Langone Huntington Medical Group. “There’s nothing wrong with a person if they feel sad that the weekend is over. It’s when it really interferes in your functioning—when you can’t focus, when you can’t sleep, when you feel yourself medicating with alcohol—then you need help.”

   Here’s why people get the Sunday scaries and the best ways to combat those thoughts of doom and gloom.

   __________(2) are the Sunday scaries? The Sunday scaries typically manifest in two ways: feelings of depression that the weekend is ending, feelings of anxiety about the week to come, or both. These feelings typically start on Sunday afternoon.

   “It could be that you feel sad and irritable and you have difficulty concentrating and fatigue,”

   Cooperman says. That collection of feelings is called anhedonia—basically a loss of enjoyment.

   If you feel more dread for the work week ahead, that’s called “anticipatory anxiety,” she says.

   Why people get them 

   The scaries strike for all kinds of reasons. They could be related to work—maybe you’re afraid of losing your job, or you’re dreading going to the office in person, or you’re simply having a hard time unplugging from work after hours, Cooperman says.

   Or, she adds, it could also be that you overbooked yourself during the week and feel exhausted by the time Sunday comes around.

   How to deal with the Sunday scaries

  One of the best ways to deal with the Sunday scaries is to mentally plant yourself firmly in the present. One way to achieve this is to try a mediation or relaxation app, even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes, Cooperman says. “I think that’s probably the best out of all the tips: stay in the moment, really try to curtail that catastrophizing into the future,” she says. There are other paths away from the scaries, too: Unplug from your phone or social media, maintain a good work-life balance, do some exercise, or get some fresh air. Make sure to schedule fun activities for Sunday afternoon and evening and do things that reliably make you feel better or help you “refuel [your] batteries,” Cooperman says. Just as important is allowing yourself downtime to relax and unwind, she adds. She also recommends trying to split up errands throughout the week so you don’t feel like you wasted your entire Sunday doing them.

   While the Sunday scaries are common, people should keep an eye on how they’re coping come the end of the weekend. “Use healthy, adaptive ways to self-soothe when you’re anxious and have the scaries,” Cooperman says. “A glass of wine is fine, but if it’s more than that and you need it every night, then that’s a problem.” If the scaries are so bad that it’s significantly impacting your life, Cooperman suggests talking about these feelings with a therapist or a psychologist. Some warning signs include being so anxious that it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning, having anxiety attacks, needing alcohol to calm down, not being able to focus or sleep, or failing to enjoy the weekend at all. “If you just can’t get out of that loop where you’re constantly unhappy, then I think you’re at a place where you should see a psychologist or a therapist,” Cooperman says. “Sometimes it’s hard to [deal with it] on your own. It’s good to talk to a professional.” 

LEE, Chantelle. How to cope with the Sunday scaries. Time, New York, 6 Apr. 2025. Available at: https://time.com/7275089/what-are-sunday-scaries/. Accessed on: 11 Aug. 2025.

Question must be answered based on the following text.

This passage from “The Sign of the Four” by Arthur Conan Doyle, captures Holmes’ logical approach to deduction and showcases his analytical abilities.

"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth", said Sherlock Holmes.

Available at: https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/arthur-conan-doyle/the-sign-of-the-four/text/single-page#chapter-6

Question must be answered based on the following text.

In this passage from Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, by Lewis Carrol, Alice meets the Cheshire Cat and asks for directions.

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" Alice asked.

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to”, said the Cat.

"I don’t much care where—" said Alice.

"Then it doesn’t matter which way you go", said the Cat.

—so long as I get somewhere", Alice added as an explanation.

"Oh, you’re sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough".

Available at: https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/lewis-carroll/alices-adventures-in-wonderland/johntenniel/text/single-page#chapter-6