President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has signed onto the Liberia EXCEL Project, a transformative $88.7 million education reform initiative aimed at improving foundational learning nationwide. The signing ceremony, held at the Executive Mansion on July 23, 2025, marks a major milestone in the government’s broader education reform efforts.
The Liberia EXCEL Project—short for Excellence in Learning in Liberia—is the country’s largest single investment in the education sector to date. Funded by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the five-year project is set to directly impact students in kindergarten through sixth grade across all 15 counties.
Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah hailed the initiative as a critical step in reshaping Liberia’s future through education. In her remarks at the ceremony, she reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to improving early grade literacy and numeracy outcomes by introducing targeted, evidence-based interventions.
“The EXCEL Project is about transforming classrooms, empowering teachers, and ensuring every Liberian child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive academically,” said Minister Jallah.
She outlined four key pillars that will guide the implementation of the project: Improving Foundational Learning, the project will focus on enhancing classroom quality through the distribution of updated teaching and learning materials, the implementation of research-backed instructional strategies, and special accelerated learning programs for overage students who are lagging behind., expanding Access to Education:
EXCEL will work to reduce barriers to primary education by offering school grants, re-engagement programs for students who have dropped out, and targeted efforts to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) in schools, ensuring safer and more inclusive learning environments.
Strengthening Education Systems: The project aims to build institutional capacity and improve education service delivery across national and local levels. Ensuring Accountability and Results: A strong emphasis will be placed on transparent coordination, efficient project execution, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation to ensure measurable outcomes.
Minister Jallah described the project as a direct reflection of President Boakai’s commitment to making education the foundation of national progress. “This signing sends a strong signal that this government is serious about using education as a tool for social equity and peacebuilding,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to Liberia’s international partners for their continued support, noting that their backing signals confidence in Liberia’s ability to deliver results that matter.
“The Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring that this investment yields visible and lasting improvements in learning outcomes,” she added.
As Liberia grapples with the long-standing challenges of low literacy rates and limited access to quality education, the EXCEL Project represents a timely intervention designed to shift the nation’s trajectory. With political backing, financial support, and a clear implementation framework, the project is poised to make foundational learning a national priority—transforming not only classrooms but the future of Liberia’s next generation.
