The Ministry of Education has announced a transformative US$8.4 million initiative designed to address longstanding challenges in Liberia’s education sector.
The plan, spearheaded by Education Minister Jarso Maley Jallah, will integrate over 6,000 volunteer teachers into the national payroll, providing financial security for educators and improving the overall quality of education.
“This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to building a resilient, professional, and knowledgeable teaching workforce,” she stated.
She added, “By addressing critical resource gaps and empowering teachers, we are laying the foundation for equitable access to high-quality education for all Liberian children.”
The initiative aims to tackle several key issues plaguing Liberia’s education system, including low teacher salaries, uneven distribution of qualified staff, and resource disparities.
These challenges are particularly evident in senior secondary schools, where the shortage of qualified educators is most pronounced.
“Investing in our educators is investing in our nation’s future. This initiative will provide stability to our teaching workforce and ensure students across Liberia receive the quality education they deserve,” she emphasized.
A recent nationwide profiling exercise revealed significant variations in teachers’ qualifications, with 3,213 volunteer teachers holding high school diplomas and 31 possessing master’s degrees notably, 80% of volunteer teachers are male.
The Ministry plans to standardize qualifications through payroll integration and professional development programs to enhance classroom instruction.
The Ministry allocated US$65,000 per school for essential materials, with 50% of this funding already distributed.
These resources will address critical shortages and support the initiative’s implementation.
Minister Jallah also emphasized the importance of equitable teacher distribution across the country while Montserrado, Nimba, and Bong counties have the highest concentrations of volunteer teachers, underserved regions face significant shortages.
The new payroll integration program will prioritize balancing teacher placement to ensure all students benefit from qualified educators.
The Ministry has launched an enrollment drive campaign to address the low school enrollment rates in counties like Bomi, Gbarpolu, Rivercess, Rivergee, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, and Sinoe.
The campaign aims to encourage students to return to school by providing educational materials and other incentives.
The Ministry’s school feeding program, supported by four key partners, currently benefits 295,537 students across 1,215 schools and by providing nutritional support, this initiative aims to reduce barriers to education and improve student performance.
Minister Jallah also highlighted efforts to resolve workforce management challenges, including the retirement of 21 Education Officers (EOs) and 96 teachers, as well as addressing performance issues with 12 County Education Officers (CEOs) and 80 District Education Officers (DEOs).
These measures aim to strengthen leadership and operational efficiency within the education sector.
“This investment represents a bold step towards transforming Liberia’s education system with national support and collective action, we can empower the next generation of leaders and secure a brighter future for our children,” she said.
