Liberia’s education system is poised for a radical shakeup, but will this $88.7 million windfall from the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) finally break the cycle of failing schools—or just patch over old problems with new money?
Announced in Washington on June 10, 2025, and officially signed today in Monrovia, the Excellence in Learning in Liberia (EXCEL) Project pledges to reinvent foundational learning for some 362,000 students and educators across all 15 counties, with over 2,300 primary schools set to benefit. The ambition is bold: overhaul outdated classrooms, fix the chronic shortage of trained teachers, empower school committees, and—critically—target girls who’ve too often been left behind. This significant investment represents a substantial injection of resources into a sector that has long grappled with systemic challenges, dating back to the devastating impacts of the civil wars and subsequent periods of instability.
The historical context of Liberia’s educational landscape is crucial to understanding the scale of the challenge EXCEL aims to address. Decades of conflict severely damaged infrastructure, displaced teachers, and disrupted the learning process, leaving deep scars on human capital development. While efforts have been made in post-conflict reconstruction, the education system has struggled to regain its footing, characterized by underfunding, a lack of qualified personnel, and a curriculum often ill-suited to the nation’s development needs. Previous aid initiatives, though well-intentioned, have sometimes failed to achieve sustainable impact due to poor implementation, corruption, or a lack of alignment with local realities. This history inevitably fuels a degree of skepticism among observers and stakeholders: can EXCEL truly be different, or is it destined to follow a similar path?
The EXCEL project itself leans on a structured new approach to teaching reading and math, promising to flood schools with fresh learning materials and provide much-needed training for 12,000 teachers. This pedagogical shift is designed to move away from rote learning towards more interactive and effective methods, a change that is desperately needed given the alarming rates of learning poverty. The project also aims to modernize data oversight, an area where Liberia’s Ministry of Education has historically faced significant hurdles. Improved data collection and analysis are essential for evidence-based policymaking and for tracking the progress of reforms. Furthermore, EXCEL intends to throw a spotlight on school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), a pervasive issue that disproportionately affects girls, limiting their access to education and their ability to learn in a safe environment. Addressing SRGBV is not just about protecting students; it's about creating an equitable learning space that allows all children to thrive.
All these components feed directly into President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s administration’s “ARREST Agenda” (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism). The promise of “true inclusion” within this agenda makes the EXCEL project a flagship initiative for the government’s new development era. For President Boakai, who assumed office in January 2024, demonstrating tangible progress in key sectors like education is paramount. The Ministry of Education, currently under the leadership of its appointed minister, is under growing pressure to produce visible results, especially with the 2026 midterm elections looming. The designation of EXCEL as a “national priority” underscores its significance, with officials emphasizing its potential to drastically reduce the learning poverty rate. This rate remains stubbornly high, with current estimates indicating that over 90% of 10-year-olds are unable to read a basic sentence, a stark indicator of the deep-seated issues plaguing foundational learning.
The World Bank, a major partner in EXCEL, brings its extensive experience in supporting education reforms in developing countries. Its involvement signals a commitment to robust financial oversight and technical assistance. Similarly, the Global Partnership for Education, a multilateral fund dedicated to ensuring that all children receive a quality basic education, offers a platform for coordinating international efforts and mobilizing resources. The partnership between these two global institutions and the Liberian government is intended to leverage international best practices and financial muscle to address national challenges.
However, the real test of EXCEL’s success will come in the day-to-day execution—in the gritty realities of rural classrooms and among overstretched school staff, where ambitious reforms conceived in Monrovia often face their toughest battles. Liberia’s geography presents inherent logistical challenges. The nation’s extensive coastline and dense interior mean that reaching remote communities can be difficult, especially during the prolonged rainy season, which typically runs from May to October. This season frequently disrupts transportation, making it hard for students to attend school and for resources and personnel to reach underserved areas. These environmental factors can exacerbate existing problems like teacher absenteeism, which remains a rampant issue, often driven by low salaries, poor working conditions, and a lack of incentives, particularly for those posted in remote regions.
Education stakeholders, including parent-teacher associations, local administrators, and civil society organizations, are urging swift and effective deployment of essential resources. This includes school kits, which are vital for providing students with basic learning tools, and targeted incentives for rural teachers to encourage their presence and commitment in challenging areas. The establishment and empowerment of local monitoring committees are also seen as crucial. These committees, composed of community members, can provide on-the-ground oversight, ensure accountability, and help bridge the gap between central policy and local implementation. Their active involvement is key to fostering community buy-in and ensuring that the project’s benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
As $88.7 million flows into Liberia under the World Bank’s 2025–2030 strategy, the question of accountability and sustainability looms large. International aid projects are often criticized for their short-term impact and their failure to build lasting local capacity. For EXCEL to be more than just another grand plan on paper, it will require diligent oversight from both the government and its international partners. This means robust monitoring mechanisms, transparent financial management, and a genuine commitment to empowering local communities and institutions. Community buy-in is not merely a desirable outcome; it is a prerequisite for the long-term success of any educational reform in Liberia. When communities feel ownership of their schools and the educational process, they are more likely to support them, hold them accountable, and ensure that resources are used effectively.
The broader economic and social implications of improving Liberia’s education system are profound. A better-educated populace is essential for economic growth, innovation, and poverty reduction. It can lead to a more skilled workforce, attract foreign investment, and foster a more informed and engaged citizenry. Conversely, a failing education system perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality, limiting individual opportunities and hindering national development. The high rate of learning poverty means that a significant portion of Liberia’s youth is not acquiring the foundational skills necessary to participate effectively in the modern economy, leading to high rates of unemployment and underemployment.
Furthermore, the emphasis on girls’ education and addressing SRGBV has significant social implications. Empowering girls through education can lead to improved health outcomes, reduced child marriage rates, and greater female participation in leadership and decision-making roles. Creating safe learning environments is fundamental to achieving these goals. The success of EXCEL in these areas could have a ripple effect across Liberian society, promoting gender equality and fostering a more inclusive future.
Regionally, Liberia’s efforts to revitalize its education sector are watched closely by its West African neighbors. Many countries in the region face similar challenges, including resource constraints, teacher shortages, and the need to improve learning outcomes. If EXCEL proves successful, it could serve as a valuable model and a source of lessons learned for other nations grappling with educational reform. The collaborative approach involving the World Bank and GPE also highlights the importance of international partnerships in addressing complex development challenges that transcend national borders.
Ultimately, the success of the EXCEL project hinges on effective implementation, sustained political will, and genuine collaboration between the government, its international partners, and the Liberian people. It is a race against time and deeply entrenched systemic issues. Only through diligent oversight, robust community engagement, and unwavering accountability can EXCEL hope to deliver more than just another well-funded initiative—it must deliver the transformative educational change that Liberia desperately needs to build a brighter future for its children and its nation.
