J.W. Harris Means Jarteh Wisseh Harris in which “Jar – teh meaning bringing out meaningful development or issue in the Grebo dialect.
The late J. W. Harris was one of the pioneers of education in the sub – Grebo Tribe of Jedepo who sought for education as a means of eradicating poverty and encouraging self- Sustainability in the mid 1940’s. Having gained his Primary Education in the Coastal Town of King William, he returned to his home Town, Nyennawliken, Jedepo, North-Eastern Sinoe County where he became a light in the darkness, and served as a clerk to the Commissioner of Kpanyan District.
History and Tradition
He later sponsor a group that went to Greenville, the capitol of Sinoe county to prevail on Government to establish a school in the town of nyanawliken Jedepo, which is now Florence Being Elementary school. However, he did not realize his dream of establishing a school of his own because he began from scratch or no foundation.
Not with standing, in fulfillment of this dream which is not only for profit making but humanitarian, our dear school J. W. Harris Memorial was established. It all started as a computer school in 2004 by Mr. Amos P. Wisseh, Son and Daughter In-law.
Having felt the basic need for Sound and quality Academic training for Liberians and foreign Nationals, Mr. Wisseh deemed it expedient and appropriate to establish this institution base on the overwhelming interest and enthusiasm expressed by community members. Academic activities began in the year 2008 with only fifteen students. Now the enrollment is about 525 students.
J.W. Harris is a School that tends to make the difference by bringing students with international Academic standards. Remember Elementary Students of the past in Liberia could write friendly letters, while present elementary students of Liberia cannot. Students of the past were discipline, while present students are not. All of these challenges should not be left with national government alone, but Schools, Churches and Mosques should buttress the efforts of government. This having to be the primary goal of the J. W. Harris Memorial School.
At J. W. Harris we believe that a good dream cannot be fulfilled without the combine efforts of an individual member of the community.