Liberia to Build 100 New Schools in 2025 as Government Unveils Sweeping Education Reform Agenda

Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of Liberia has announced plans to construct more than 100 new schools nationwide beginning this year, reaffirming its commitment to education as a cornerstone of national development.

The announcement was made by Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah during the ongoing “Deep Dives” 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 Bank’s US$90 million Excellence in Learning in Liberia (EXCEL) project will support not only the construction of new schools but also the expansion of Liberia’s digital learning infrastructure.

Describing the initiative as a transformative step toward closing long-standing gaps in education infrastructure, Minister Jallah emphasized the government’s dual focus on access and quality.

“Our mission is not just about access but about quality,” she said. “From constructing new schools to renovating existing ones and providing digital tools for learning, we are shaping a better future for Liberia’s children.”

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 government’s 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 Ministry’s efforts, particularly Dr. Jallah’s 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.

“The reforms are both exciting and impactful,” said Minister Ngafuan. “Education is the bedrock of inclusive development, and the initiatives we are supporting—whether in Nimba, Bong, Margibi, or teacher colleges in Kakata, Zorzor, and Webbo are investments in Liberia’s future.”