In a landmark move aimed at transforming the country’s education sector, three key government institutions have come together to launch the “One Child, One Chair” National Initiative, designed to eliminate the chronic shortage of student seating in public schools across Liberia.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was formally signed on Wednesday by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Civil Service Agency (CSA), signaling a powerful inter-agency commitment to improving classroom infrastructure and educational equity nationwide.
Signing on behalf of their respective institutions were Hon. Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, Minister of Education; Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, Minister of Youth and Sports; and Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., Director-General of the CSA.
The first phase of the initiative will see the production of 1,483 student armchairs by the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC), a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institution operating under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. MVTC has pledged to adhere to national quality standards and complete the work within an agreed timeline.
What makes the project particularly noteworthy is its innovative funding source: a one-month salary deduction from public officials who failed to declare their assets. Government officials say the move demonstrates a firm commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Education Minister Dr. Jallah underscored the broader significance of the initiative.
“This is not merely about providing chairs. It is a national statement of equity, dignity, and our collective investment in the future of Liberian children,” she said, while also commending Dr. Joekai for his leadership in forging inter-agency collaboration.
Minister Bangalu praised the Ministry of Education’s confidence in MVTC’s capabilities and promised timely, high-quality delivery. Meanwhile, CSA Director-General Dr. Joekai emphasized that such partnerships are essential to rebuilding public trust and delivering better services to citizens.
The initiative falls squarely under President Joseph N. Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, which seeks to ensure 100% seating coverage in all public basic and secondary schools by the end of his first term.
To guarantee transparency and public accountability, the Ministry of Education has also launched a centralized digital platform that will allow stakeholders to track the needs of individual schools, monitor delivery schedules, ensure vendor compliance, and foster community involvement.
With “One Child, One Chair,” the government aims not just to provide furniture, but to create a national symbol of equity, opportunity, and hope for every Liberian child.
