The government of Liberia has announced plans to construct more than 100 new schools nationwide beginning this year; the government reaffirms its commitment to education as a cornerstone of national development.
Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah made the announcement during the ongoing โDeep Divesโ sessions organized by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), aimed at boosting efficiency and delivery across ministries, agencies, and commissions.
Dr. Jallah revealed that the World Bankโs US$90 million Excellence in Learning in Liberia (EXCEL) project will support not only the construction of new schools but also the expansion of Liberiaโs digital learning infrastructure.
Describing the initiative as a transformative step toward closing long-standing gaps in education infrastructure, Minister Jallah emphasized the governmentโs dual focus on access and quality.
โOur mission is not just about access but quality,โ she said. โFrom constructing new schools to renovating existing ones and providing digital tools for learning, we are shaping a better future for Liberiaโs children.โ
In her update to the MFDP team, Minister Jallah shared key progress in the education sector. Over 2,000 volunteer teachers have been formally added to the government payroll, part of a broader effort to address labor challenges in the sector.
Additionally, 156 public schools have been equipped with computer labs through the IRIS Project, and 28 science labs are nearing completion, with 50 more planned under the governmentโs Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP).
Minister Jallah also highlighted new digital initiatives, including an ongoing internet access mapping exercise in collaboration with the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).
A mobile application developed by young Liberian tech innovators is being piloted in five counties, helping more than 2,000 students prepare for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
This initiative is supported by UNICEF and regional partners.
Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan commended the Education Ministryโs efforts, particularly Dr. Jallahโs role in finalizing the EXCEL Project agreement with the World Bank.
He noted that the government’s strategy balances infrastructure development with improvements in educational quality through teacher training and technology integration.
โThe reforms are both exciting and impactful,โ said Minister Ngafuan. โEducation is the bedrock of inclusive development, and the initiatives we are supportingโwhether in Nimba, Bong, Margibi, or teacher colleges in Kakata, Zorzor, and Webboโare investments in Liberiaโs future.โ
The โDeep Divesโ session is part of a broader inter-ministerial initiative to identify sector-specific challenges, assign clear responsibilities, and set measurable targets to accelerate progress.
Minister Ngafuan underscored the need for sustained accountability and collaboration to achieve the governmentโs ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
โIf we are planning for a lifetime, we must educate our children,โ he declared. โLiberiaโs future is in the classroom.โ
Both ministers reiterated their alignment with President Joseph Nyuma Boakaiโs national vision, which places human capital developmentโparticularly educationโat the heart of Liberiaโs development strategy.
The ongoing reforms aim to reduce poverty, promote equity, and empower future generations through inclusive, quality education.
