GBARNGA, LIBERIA — In a significant milestone for Bong, and surrounding counties, the government of Liberia, through his Excellency, President Joseph Boakai Sr. on Monday, July 21, 2025, officially dedicated a state-of-the-art modern secondary school in Gbarnga, Bong County, highlighting the facilities as a beacon of hope and progress for the nation’s future. The ceremony underscored the government’s commitment to education as a central pillar of national development.
“This school is not just a building; it is a statement that education remains at the heart of our development agenda,” remarked President Boakai. He emphasized the importance of the solar panels installed at the school, symbolizing sustainable energy solutions integrated into the learning environment. The president attributed the success of this project to strong partnerships, particularly a substantial USD$47 million grant from the International Government Association (IGA).
He acknowledged the crucial role played by the Ministry of Education and its collaboration with various partners in addressing the challenges facing Liberia’s education sector. “Good education starts with a good learning environment. Most people don’t understand that,” he stated, stressing that effective learning spaces are essential for student success.
The new facility boasts modern classrooms, science and computer laboratories, and a focus on improving access to senior secondary education, promoting gender equity, and enhancing the ministry’s capacity to serve students effectively. President Boakai highlighted that these advancements reflect the government’s reform agenda aimed at excellence in education. He quoted an African proverb, stating, “Education is the key that unlocks the golden door,” emphasizing the need to restore access to quality education for every child.
In furtherance, President Boakai reiterated the significant impact that well-equipped learning environments can have on student performance, encapsulating the vision for education in Liberia as one that fosters a thriving, equitable future for its youth.
“A conducive learning environment fosters student success by minimizing distractions and promoting comfort and safety. This allows children to focus on their education rather than worrying about their basic needs. Investing in proper schools goes beyond construction; it involves equipping students with the necessary tools and opportunities for achievement. The government emphasizes its belief in the students through this investment, urging them to seize the moment and engage in their education actively,” the Liberian leader noted.
Additionally, the Liberian leader expressed a heartfelt gratitude to the World Bank and other contributors for their support, which will positively impact countless young lives, highlighting the government’s commitment to building a robust education system that uplifts communities and fosters a strong national future. President Boakai added that the government insists that all students deserve the best education, aiming to foster a mentality that encourages pride and ambition among them.
President Boakai also acknowledged the Ministry of Education for its efforts, as it has overcome various challenges, including staffing cuts, noting that it is vital for ensuring competitive education. “The hope is to see improved results in future examinations, reflecting the capabilities of Liberian students. The success of this initiative relies heavily on community involvement, particularly in maintaining the school’s facilities, which necessitates trained personnel to ensure its longevity and effectiveness,” President Boakai concluded.
Also, Education Minister Jarso Jallah officially commissioned the school, saying it’s one of Liberia’s newest state-of-the-art model secondary schools in Gbarnga. The school, she said costs approximately $1.6 million, as part of a broader initiative aimed at transforming the educational landscape in Liberia.
Minister Jallah detailed the school’s ultra-modern facilities, which include 15 classrooms, a technical vocational space for TVET programs, gender-sensitive inclusions, and accessible support for individuals with disabilities.
In addition to science and digital labs, the education minister noted that there is a library, solar power, running water, and a variety of sports facilities, including a football pitch and courts for basketball and volleyball. “Each school is designed to accommodate up to 1,000 students, effectively addressing overcrowding and significantly enhancing the learning environment,” Jallah noted.
Dr. Jallah added that this monumental achievement is a result of the commitment from President Boakai’s government and the Ministry of Education, with funding support from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) facility. Minister Jallah acknowledged the challenges faced when he assumed leadership at the ministry, where, according to her, many civil works were delayed due to inefficiencies. She noted issues such as delayed payments to contractors and unsatisfactory performance, which necessitated the termination and re-awarding of the contracts.
“To overcome these obstacles, the ministry focused on strengthening monitoring and supervision, embodying President Boakai’s mandate to shift away from business as usual, to her own saying, ‘No good venture goes uncompleted under my watch,’ emphasizing the importance of accountability and diligence in educational development.”
The initiative marks a significant step toward bridging the gap in access to quality secondary education, aligning with pillar four of the government’s Agenda for Reformation and Excellence in Education.
It reflects a commitment to creating inclusive learning environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive. Minister Jallah stated, “It is about the people of Liberia and not merely politics,” reinforcing the idea that educational opportunities should be merit-based. Special emphasis will be placed on prioritizing students from disadvantaged communities to ensure equity and access for all.
For her part, World Bank’s Country Representative, Georgia Wallen, described the commissioning as a chance to consider what makes schools special and why her organization invests in education. “The atmosphere, we can all imagine it, will soon be filled with youthful energy, excitement, noise, laughter, ideas, and problem solving, most of all learning. It’s an atmosphere in which young minds will be challenged, young lives shaped,” she added.
Madam Wallen also noted that the commissioning of this school took a year before the world was plunged into the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the USD$47 million investment had a simple but ambitious aim, to improve equitable access and equality of secondary education and to provide a response to COVID-19 once the pandemic began.
She further stated that it aimed to impact all public and community senior secondary conditions for over 150 secondary schools in Liberia, awarding scholarships, recruiting, training, and deploying female guidance counselors in all senior secondary schools, improving the quality of teaching, and producing and distributing the first Liberian-produced secondary schools.
The ceremony was graced by scores of government officials, including Ministers, directors, students, local county officials, and a host of ordinary citizens.
