Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Education, Public Administration, Judiciary, Banking and Finance, and Ways, Means and Finance convened a public hearing on Wednesday to scrutinize a proposed US$60 million International Development Association (IDA) credit agreement intended to fund the Liberia Excellence in Learning (EXCEL) Project.
The hearing, held in the Legislature’s chambers, brought together officials from the Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders to discuss the loan’s potential impact and relevance to national development goals.
Opening the session, Hon. Nyan Flomo, Chair of the Committee on Education, underscored the Legislature’s oversight responsibility, emphasizing the importance of thorough scrutiny before approval.
“Our role is to be stewards of the public purse,” said Hon. Flomo. “A loan of this magnitude is not a grant; it is a debt that will be borne by future generations. Therefore, our approval cannot be automatic—it must be earned and justified.”
The proposed $60 million IDA credit is expected to support the Liberia EXCEL Project, which aims to improve foundational learning outcomes across 2,337 public schools in all 15 counties.
Presenting the Ministry’s case, Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah described the initiative as a transformative investment in early childhood and primary education. She noted that, if ratified, the credit would unlock an additional $28.7 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), raising the total funding package to $88.7 million.
Dr. Jallah said the funding would address critical gaps in education financing and directly support the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which prioritizes access to quality education for all Liberians.
“The EXCEL Project is about laying a strong foundation for learning,” Dr. Jallah stated. “It’s a strategic investment that will impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of Liberian children.”
The joint legislative hearing is expected to continue in the coming days as lawmakers further evaluate the Ministry’s justifications before deciding whether to ratify the loan agreement.
The outcome of the review will determine whether the project moves forward under the proposed financial terms.
