Monrovia, Liberia – A new report by ActionAid International has raised grave concerns over the deteriorating state of education in Liberia, highlighting a crisis that threatens the future of thousands of students-especially girls-across the country.
The report, which surveyed six African countries including Liberia, paints a bleak picture of growing challenges faced by both teachers and students. In Liberia, findings revealed worsening working conditions, a critical shortage of teaching materials, and crumbling infrastructure that collectively contribute to a steep decline in the quality of education.
Teachers Under Pressure
Mr. William M. Kasor, a teacher in Montserrado County, shares a story common among Liberian educators. “My salary hasn’t changed in years, but the cost of living keeps rising,” he said. “I often struggle to put enough food on the table.”
Kasor’s class sizes have ballooned to an average of 80 students, making it nearly impossible to provide individual attention.
“I feel stressed and hopeless,” he admitted, citing mental health challenges, a lack of resources, and the rising impact of climate change, including floods and heatwaves that disrupt learning.
With limited or no government support, many teachers are forced to buy their own materials or go without. “The ministry doesn’t provide textbooks or teaching aids,” Kasor said. “We’re left to fend for ourselves.”
Girls Falling Behind
The report highlighted that while overall student enrollment has increased, by as much as 40% in recent years-girls remain disproportionately disadvantaged.
According to the report, long distances to schools, household responsibilities, and inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities often push girls out of the classroom.
It further revealed that in many communities, especially in rural areas, students travel up to 20 kilometers to reach secondary schools.
High transport costs in urban centers also discourages attendance. “Girls are more likely to drop out because of the burden of chores and the lack of proper facilities,” the report noted.
Infrastructure Gaps and Overcrowding
Across Liberia and the other surveyed countries, schools are plagued by poor infrastructure-lacking clean water, electricity, and safe toilets. In some cases, like in Ghana and Liberia, students are forced to study under trees or share broken-down toilet facilities.
The student-teacher ratio has worsened significantly. In Liberia, 94% of teachers in urban areas reported a spike in classroom sizes, contributing to a decline in teaching quality
“We’ve seen classes with up to 200 students in some countries,” the report added, citing a case from Liberia.
In Gbarpolu County, Principal Joseph Kollie echoes these concerns.
“Our teachers are overwhelmed, and our facilities are falling apart. We need immediate intervention,” he said.
Call to Action
Despite the challenges, teachers like Kasor remain committed. “I just want to give my students the best I can,” he said. However, without substantial investment in teacher salaries, infrastructure, and learning materials, the future of Liberia’s education system remains uncertain.
ActionAid is urging national governments and international partners to prioritize education funding and policy reform to ensure that every child, regardless of gender or geography, has access to quality learning.
