A significant partnership between the United States Government and Liberia has led to the launch of a USD 75 million initiative to improve literacy for over 120,000 students from Grades 1 to 6.
The Liberia Foundational Skills Activity (LFSA) is a five-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented in collaboration with Liberia’s Ministry of Education.
LFSA targets 70% of public schools across six counties—Bong, Grand Bassa, Lofa, Margibi, Montserrado, and Nimba—and seeks to address critical gaps in literacy education while reinforcing national education standards. The initiative is vital to Liberia’s future, laying the groundwork for sustainable development and economic resilience.
Chemonics International leads the project and brings together a coalition of partners, including local and international organizations such as the Diversified Educators Empowerment Project (DEEP), Kid’s Educational Engagement Project (KEEP), WE-CARE, FAWE Liberia, FREE Liberia, Mathematica, and One World Network of Schools (OWNOS).
LFSA builds on USAID’s longstanding investments in Liberia’s education sector, which have totaled over $300 million in the past decade. These efforts have yielded measurable progress, including a 15% increase in primary school enrollment, improved literacy rates, training 7,500 teachers, and renovating over 300 schools.
At the launch event, U.S. Ambassador to Liberia Mark Toner reaffirmed the partnership between the two nations, stating, “This program is a testament to the enduring partnership between the United States and Liberia.”
Liberia’s Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, described the initiative as a transformative step forward: “Through this partnership, we are equipping our children with the tools to build a brighter and more prosperous Liberia.”
Focusing on fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments, LFSA promises to play a pivotal role in Liberia’s journey toward improved literacy and national development.
