BUUTUO, NIMBA COUNTY — While national discussions continue to focus on improving access to education, the reality facing hundreds of students in rural Liberia highlights the persistent infrastructure challenges confronting many schools across the country.
More than 200 students enrolled at Mother Regina Royal Foundation Elementary and Day-Care School in Buutuo Town, District #5, Nimba County, are currently receiving lessons in a deteriorating school structure, raising concerns about safety, learning quality, and the future of education in the community.
The situation has prompted the school’s founder and proprietress, Regina Larkuah, to appeal for urgent support from the government, humanitarian organizations, and development partners to help improve conditions for students and teachers.
Speaking about the challenges facing the institution, Madam Larkuah explained that the school was established in 2019 with the goal of expanding educational opportunities for children in the area. However, like many schools across Liberia, its operations were severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the institution to close its doors temporarily.
The challenges deepened after the death of her husband, a loss that significantly affected the school’s financial stability and ability to undertake infrastructure improvements. Despite these setbacks, the institution resumed academic activities in 2023, driven by a determination to ensure that children in the community did not lose access to education.
Today, however, the school continues to operate under difficult circumstances.
Students attend classes in a structure that has deteriorated over time, exposing them to conditions that many education advocates say are not conducive to effective teaching and learning. Community members fear that without intervention, the physical condition of the facility could further undermine educational outcomes and pose risks to students.
The situation underscores a broader challenge facing Liberia’s education sector, particularly in rural communities where access to quality infrastructure often lags behind growing enrollment demands. While efforts have been made nationally to increase school attendance, many institutions continue to struggle with inadequate classrooms, insufficient learning materials, and limited financial support.
Madam Larkuah revealed that efforts are already underway to construct a new school building, but progress has been slowed by financial constraints. She is therefore calling on government agencies, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists, and international partners to help complete the project and provide students with a safer learning environment.
For parents in Buutuo Town, the issue extends beyond buildings and construction materials. It is about ensuring that children have an opportunity to learn in conditions that promote academic success and personal development.
Education advocates note that improving school infrastructure is directly linked to student performance, attendance rates, teacher motivation, and overall educational outcomes. Without adequate facilities, many rural schools struggle to provide the quality education needed to prepare students for future opportunities.
Despite the challenges, the determination of the school’s administration, teachers, and students reflects a powerful commitment to education in the face of adversity. Their continued efforts demonstrate that while infrastructure may be lacking, the desire to learn remains strong.
As calls for assistance grow louder, many residents hope that the plight of Mother Regina Royal Foundation Elementary and Day-Care School will draw attention to the broader need for investment in rural education infrastructure across Liberia.
For the more than 200 students who walk into the aging classrooms each day, the hope is simple: a safe school, a better learning environment, and a chance to pursue their dreams without being limited by the condition of the building in which they learn.
