President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has urged county superintendents to take a more active role in improving education and supporting development initiatives across their respective counties.
The President made the call on Friday during the Presidential Mid-Term Review of the Back to My Classroom Project, where he stressed the need for stronger county-level leadership in addressing challenges facing the education sector.
Boakai said superintendents should take greater ownership of development programs in their counties, noting that their involvement could help government respond more effectively to education and other development needs.
He also encouraged counties to create more opportunities for young people to participate in educational activities outside regular school hours, including weekend learning programs and greater use of libraries and other community learning spaces.
The President said his interest in the Back to My Classroom Project increased after reviewing reports from the Ministry of Education showing the number of children who are out of school and the counties recording low enrollment.
“Sometimes we don’t know what we are losing,” Boakai said, expressing concern about children spending their days along roadsides instead of attending school.
He said children who are out of school represent a loss of potential for the country, warning that Liberia risks missing out on future professionals and leaders if young people are not given access to education.
Boakai also pointed to government efforts to improve learning conditions through the construction and renovation of schools and the One Child, One Chair initiative.
He said children should not be expected to learn in classrooms without proper seating, describing the situation as unfair to students and damaging to the country’s future.
The President welcomed the growing involvement of local stakeholders in education and commended the Minister of Education for bringing together key actors to discuss and address challenges confronting the sector.
He said stronger cooperation between national and county authorities will be critical to improving access to quality education and ensuring that more Liberian children remain in school.
