Transforming education in Liberia

The education sector in Liberia faces a complex set of challenges related to geographical inequities, poverty, poor child health, high rates of gender-based violence, constrained national finances and large numbers of unqualified teachers.

Poor learning, overage enrollment and many out-of-school children, the majority of which are girls from poor families, call for transformational change.

The government is working with GPE and other partners to improve learning for Liberian children, with a focus on ensuring Grade 3 students achieve foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

The Liberia Partnership Compact notes the need to support overage and out-of-school children with accelerated and alternative learning programs, and to provide all students with a healthy, inclusive and adequately resourced learning environment.

The reform targets parents with information and resources on the importance of at-age enrollment and home learning strategies to help get children enrolled at the correct age and ready for school.

The country is also prioritizing teachers, ensuring they have the qualifications, skills and curriculum to teach and assess foundational skills and aims to better address the challenges facing female teachers. Improved education financing and better education data and evidence will support large-scale and sustainable change.

Result story

Liberia: A safe school environment welcomes children back to school

With support from GPE and UNICEF, the government of Liberia is making good progress in promoting safe learning and ensuring children can stay healthy while in school.

Key data

14%

out-of-school rate for children of lower-secondary school age

69%

of children start learning one year before entering primary school

67%

of primary teachers have the minimum required qualifications

16%

of government expenditure on education

Grants

(data as of December 06, 2024)

 
  • Type: System capacity

    Years: 2024 - 2028

    Allocation: US$2,033,360

    Utilization: 0

    Grant agent: WB

Civil society engagement

  • As part of its investment in civil society advocacy and social accountability efforts, GPE’s Education Out Loud fund is supporting Helping Our People Excel (HOPE) for the 2024-2026 period.

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