In an effort to improve primary education in Liberia, the United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Government of Liberia, have officially launched the Liberia Foundational Skills Activity (LFSA) worth US$75 million for Grades 1-6. The US$75 million initiative is expected to last for five years and is designed to strengthen English literacy skills for over 120,000 students in Grades 1-6 in six counties, anMoE release issued Tuesday, November 19, 2024, said. According to the statement, the counties include Bong, Grand Bassa, Lofa, Margibi, Montserrado, and Nimba. It said the initiative is targeting 70 percent of public schools. The MoE release added that LFSA addresses critical gaps in literacy education and reinforces Liberia’s national education standards, laying a strong foundation for sustainable development and economic resilience. “The initiative, led by Chemonics International, unites a coalition of local and international partners which include 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),” the statement disclosed. LFSA builds upon USAID’s longstanding contributions to Liberia’s education sector, which include over $300 million in investments over the past decade, leading to a 15 percent increase in primary school enrollment, improved literacy proficiency, the training of 7,500 teachers, and the renovation of over 300 schools. At the launch, the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating that the program is a testament to the enduring partnership between the United States and Liberia.
At the same time, the Minister of Education Jarso MaleyJallah highlighted its transformative potential, promising that through this partnership, they are equipping their children with tools to build a brighter and more prosperous Liberia. LINA
Comments are closed.