President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Launches National Enrollment Drive Movement to Tackle School Dropout Rates in Liberia

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Launches National Enrollment Drive Movement to Tackle School Dropout Rates in Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia – August 9, 2024

In a landmark effort to address the rising school dropout rates in Liberia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai today launched the National Enrollment Drive Movement. This initiative, championed by the Ministry of Education in partnership with its Development Partners, underscores a national commitment to ensuring that every school-aged child in Liberia not only enrolls but also remains in school.

The launch ceremony, held in Monrovia, marks a critical juncture in the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to reverse the troubling trend of student dropouts, which currently stands at 20 percent. The National Enrollment Drive Movement aims to bring this figure down to a more sustainable 15 percent, with a strategic focus on increasing enrollment and retention rates across the country.

During the launch, President Boakai highlighted the crucial role of the Ministry of Education in safeguarding the future of Liberia’s youth. He called on Education Officers across the nation to rally behind this initiative, stressing the need to create conducive learning environments in classrooms and school buildings nationwide. The President also made a heartfelt appeal to all Liberians to invest in their children’s education, ensuring they are adequately prepared for the challenges ahead.

Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, echoed the President’s call to action, describing the National Enrollment Drive Movement as a transformative milestone for Liberia’s education sector. She emphasized the campaign’s primary objective of combating dropout rates and increasing school enrollment, particularly at the primary level. Dr. Jallah urged sustained efforts to secure the future of Liberia’s children by enhancing their educational opportunities.

The movement, which will kick off on August 12, 2024, initially targets several key counties including Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Rivergee, Sinoe, Gbarpolu, and Bomi, with plans for broader national implementation. This initiative aligns closely with the ARREST agenda, which is dedicated to reducing dropout rates among school-aged children.

Honorable Abba G. Karnga, Assistant Minister for Basic & Secondary Education, elaborated on the significance of this campaign in boosting school enrollment rates. He outlined five strategic pillars that will drive the movement: advocacy, evidence generation, community engagement, and the development of targeted communication materials. These strategies are designed to mobilize stakeholders and communities across Liberia in the fight against school dropouts.

The launch event was attended by representatives from key institutions including the Ministry of Gender, Liberia National Police, World Bank, UNICEF, civil society organizations, the National Principals Association, and the National Teachers Association. These institutions expressed their unwavering support for the initiative, reaffirming a shared commitment to enhancing education in Liberia and securing a brighter future for the nation’s youth.

For more information and updates from the Ministry of Education, please contact J. Maxime Bleetahn, Director of Communications & Public Relations, at 0777-212197 or 0886-565-264. Visit our website at moeliberia.com or follow us on Facebook at Ministry of Education-Liberia. For urgent inquiries, please use our hotline at 1416.