The following report has been drafted by Broken Chalk as a stakeholder contribution to the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review [UPR] for Liberia. As Broken Chalk’s focus is on combating human rights violations within the educational sphere, the contents of this report and the following recommendations will focus on the Right to Education.
Liberia’s education system is structured into six subsectors: early childhood education (ECE), basic education (primary, junior secondary, and adult education), senior secondary education (academic and technical), junior colleges and post-secondary institutions, universities and colleges, and intermediate institutions for teacher and vocational training. The system follows a 3 9 3–4 structure, comprising three years of ECE, nine years of basic education (six years of primary education and three years of junior secondary education), three years of senior secondary or vocational education, and four years of tertiary education. Basic education is offered free of charge, but challenges remain in ensuring access and quality across all levels. [i]
Liberia’s education system, governed by the Ministry of Education, has improved access through school construction and teacher training initiatives; however, disparities persist, particularly between urban and rural areas. Notably, primary enrolment in rural areas is 27.2%, significantly lower than the 40.7% in urban areas, due to limited infrastructure and teacher shortages in remote regions. [ii]
The education sector has seen notable gains in student enrolment at the primary level and in girls’ access to schooling, thanks to policy reforms aimed at gender inclusivity and reducing dropout rates. However, variability in educational quality and resources continues to affect academic outcomes nationwide. [iii]
A significant step forward has been Liberia’s commitment to global education standards, aligning its goals with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 for quality and inclusive education. This focus is evident in recent efforts to reform the curriculum and adapt school infrastructure to support inclusive learning environments better. [iv]
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed digital access and resource challenges, impacting learning continuity. The government’s response included remote learning initiatives, but resource gaps revealed the need for further digital investment. [v]
Despite these challenges, Liberia’s dedication to improving educational access and quality is evident in its ongoing reforms. Continued investment and international support are essential to building on this progress and addressing areas where access to education remains limited. [vi]
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50th_Session_UN-UPR_Liberia-1References
[i] UNESCO, Education Sector Analysis 2022: Republic of Liberia (Paris: UNESCO, 2022), https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000383314.
[ii] International Institute for Educational Planning, Education Sector Analysis: Republic of Liberia (Paris: UNESCO, 2022), https://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/publication/education-sector-analysis-republic-liberia.
[iii] World Bank. Education Sector Analysis 2022: Republic of Liberia. Washington, DC: World Bank, 2022. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/edu-liberia-analysis.
[iv] United Nations, The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 (New York: United Nations, 2022), https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2022/.
[v] Ministry of Education, Republic of Liberia, and World Bank, Education Sector Analysis: Republic of Liberia (Monrovia: Ministry of Education, 2016), https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/481011575583469840/pdf/Liberia-Education-Sector-Analysis.pdf.
[vi] ibid
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