Liberia: Empowering Youth, Transforming Lives through Education

Date: January 1st 2025
Location: Montrovia, Liberia Republic

Education holds transformative potential for Liberia

Education holds transformative potential for Liberia, playing a crucial role in addressing poverty, inequality, and unemployment. The country has made strides in rebuilding its educational infrastructure following years of civil conflict and the Ebola crisis, which severely disrupted the sector. However, significant challenges remain, including inadequate funding, limited teacher training, overcrowded classrooms, and insufficient access to quality learning materials.

The Liberian government has prioritized education as a key driver of national development, allocating $114 million in the 2025 budget to enhance infrastructure, improve teacher quality, and expand access to primary and secondary education

Education Reform Act

Initiatives such as the Education Reform Act of 2011 and partnerships with international organizations aim to address systemic issues, promote literacy, and increase enrollment rates, particularly for girls.

By investing in skills development and technical education, Liberia seeks to create a workforce that can contribute to economic diversification and growth. Education is seen not only as a tool for individual empowerment but also as a cornerstone for sustainable national progress.

A challenge in education sector & ensure a sustainable future

To avoid ongoing challenges in its education sector and ensure a sustainable future, Liberia must focus on the following strategies and perspectives:

1. Increase Investment in Education

Allocate a larger portion of the national budget to education, ensuring funds are used for infrastructure, teacher training, and materials.
Strengthen public-private partnerships and seek international aid to fill gaps in funding and expertise.

2. Promote Equity in Education

Ensure marginalized groups, particularly girls and children in rural areas, have access to quality education.
Implement policies to address barriers like early marriage, child labor, and long travel distances to schools.

3. Develop Technical and Vocational Training (TVET)

Expand vocational training programs to provide practical skills aligned with market needs.
Encourage partnerships between educational institutions and industries to create employment opportunities.

4. Improve Teacher Training and Retention

Invest in teacher training programs to ensure high-quality instruction.
Offer incentives, such as competitive salaries and career development, to retain qualified educators.

5. Leverage Technology

Integrate digital tools and e-learning platforms, particularly for remote and underserved communities.
Collaborate with tech organizations to improve internet access and provide digital literacy training.

6. Strengthen Governance and Accountability

- Enhance monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure efficient use of educational resources.
- Reduce corruption and mismanagement within the education sector.

Future Perspectives:

Liberia can achieve significant progress by focusing on long-term development goals, such as:

Building an education system that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.
Preparing a workforce capable of supporting economic diversification, particularly in agriculture, mining, and technology.
Encouraging partnerships with international organizations like UNESCO and UNICEF to align with global education standards.

Education remains a transformative tool for Liberia, and a sustained commitment to these strategies will help create a skilled, empowered population capable of driving national progress.

How Long to Reach Educational Targets?

The timeline for Liberia to achieve significant improvements in education depends on factors such as funding, policy implementation, and collaboration with development partners. Realistically, meaningful progress might take 10–15 years, provided consistent investment and reforms are pursued. This aligns with global goals like the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG4) to ensure quality education by 2030.

Who Can Help Liberia?

THE UNESCO

International Organizations:
- UNICEF and UNESCO: Support capacity building, teacher training, and infrastructure development.
- World Bank: Provides funding and policy guidance through education-focused programs.
- USAID: Focuses on improving literacy, school access, and teacher quality.
Private Sector:
- Companies like ArcelorMittal have supported education projects in Liberia.
- Collaborations with tech firms can introduce e-learning solutions.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):
- NGOs like Save the Children and Plan International focus on education for marginalized communities.
Diaspora Contributions:
- The Liberian diaspora can play a critical role through remittances and expertise sharing.

THE UNICEF

How Much Does the Government Need to Invest?

To meet international benchmarks, Liberia should aim to allocate at least 15–20% of its national budget to education, as recommended by UNESCO. With a 2025 national budget of $851.8 million, Liberia’s current education allocation of $114.7 million (13.5%) is an improvement but still falls short. Increasing this to at least $150–170 million annually would significantly impact infrastructure, teacher training, and resource availability

What Are the Priorities for the Ministry of Education?

Infrastructure Development:
- Rebuild schools destroyed during civil wars and improve existing facilities, especially in rural areas.
Teacher Recruitment and Training:
- Address the shortage of qualified teachers by investing in training programs and offering competitive salaries.
Equitable Access:
- Focus on girls’ education and providing resources for underserved regions.
Curriculum Modernization:
- Update curricula to include technical and vocational training (TVET) and integrate digital literacy.
Monitoring and Accountability:
- Ensure transparency in resource allocation and regularly assess the progress of educational initiatives.

By addressing these priorities with increased investment and collaboration, Liberia can lay the groundwork for a robust education system that supports national development.

Priority Education Sectors for Liberia and Actions to Take

Priority Areas in Education:

Primary Education:
- Focus on universal access to primary education to meet the basic learning needs of children.
- Address barriers such as financial constraints, early marriage, and child labor.
Secondary Education:
- Improve enrollment rates, particularly for girls and children in rural areas.
- Expand access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
Technical and Vocational Education (TVET):
- Strengthen TVET programs to provide practical skills for employment in agriculture, construction, and emerging sectors like technology.
Teacher Training:
- Enhance the quality of education by investing in teacher training and certification.
- Provide ongoing professional development and improve teacher retention through better pay and working conditions.
Higher Education:
- Strengthen universities and colleges to build local expertise in critical fields like healthcare, engineering, and business.
- Foster partnerships with international institutions to improve research capacity.
Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning:
- Develop programs targeting adult literacy, particularly for women, to improve economic and social inclusion.

Actions to Take:

Increase Funding:
- Allocate at least 15–20% of the national budget to education to meet international benchmarks.
- Seek partnerships with donors, NGOs, and private investors to supplement funding.
Rebuild Infrastructure:
- Renovate and build schools, especially in underserved rural areas.
- Equip schools with modern facilities, including internet access and libraries.
Promote Equity:
- Introduce policies that ensure equal opportunities for girls and marginalized communities.
- Provide scholarships and incentives to encourage school attendance.
Integrate Technology:
- Leverage e-learning platforms and digital tools to enhance teaching and learning, particularly in remote areas.
Policy and Governance:
- Strengthen the Ministry of Education’s capacity to monitor and evaluate programs effectively.
- Ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation of resources.
Community Engagement:
- Engage parents, local leaders, and communities to support school attendance and reduce dropout rates.

By focusing on these priority areas and implementing targeted actions, Liberia can build an education system that empowers its population and drives national development.

Regions to Prioritize for Education in Liberia

Liberia’s education priorities should focus on regions most affected by poverty, limited infrastructure, and low school enrollment rates. Specific areas include:

1. Rural Areas (Across Liberia)

Reason: Rural regions face significant challenges, including a lack of schools, trained teachers, and basic amenities. Enrollment and literacy rates in these areas are often lower than in urban centers.
Action: Build and renovate schools, provide transportation, and ensure access to educational materials.

2. Southeastern Regions (Grand Kru, Maryland, River Gee, Sinoe)

Reason: These areas are among the least developed, with high poverty levels and minimal infrastructure for education.
Action: Invest in building schools and teacher housing, and implement community-driven initiatives to encourage attendance.

3. Northwestern Regions (Lofa, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount)

Reason: These regions have limited educational facilities and are impacted by post-conflict rebuilding challenges.
Action: Focus on vocational training and agricultural education to support local economies.

4. Urban Slums (Monrovia and Surrounding Areas)

Reason: Despite being urban, areas like West Point in Monrovia face overcrowded schools and a lack of resources due to rapid urbanization.
Action: Address overcrowding, improve teacher-student ratios, and ensure access to technology and modern learning tools.

Strategic Prioritization Approach:

Begin with the regions that show the lowest education indicators, such as literacy rates and school enrollment.
Focus on areas where the population is growing rapidly, ensuring resources keep pace with demand.
Consider equity, targeting regions where marginalized groups, including women and girls, are most disadvantaged.

By prioritizing these regions and addressing their specific challenges, Liberia can ensure equitable access to quality education and drive national development.

Ministry of Education

Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection – Liberia

LIBERIA MINISTRY OF GENDER? CHILDREN & SOCIAL PROTECTION

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