Gbarnga, Bong County – The Liberian government, represented by President Joseph Boakai formally dedicated the newly constructed modern secondary school in Gbarnga, Bong County, on Monday, July 21, marking a significant milestone for Bong and the surrounding counties. The facilities were highlighted as a symbol of progress and hope for the future of the country. The government’s dedication to education as a key component of the country’s growth was emphasized throughout the event.
President Boakai said, “This school is more than just a structure; it is a declaration that education is still at the core of our development agenda.” He underlined the significance of the school’s solar panels, which stand for environmentally friendly energy solutions incorporated into the classroom. Strong collaborations, including a sizeable USD$47 million funding from the International Government Association (IGA), were credited by the president with making this initiative a success.
In order to solve the issues confronting Liberia’s education system, he recognized the vital role the Ministry of Education and its cooperation with other partners play. “A good learning environment is the foundation of a successful education. Most people don’t understand that,” he said, emphasizing how important successful learning environments are to students’ performance.
Modern classrooms, science and computer labs, and an emphasis on expanding senior secondary school access, advancing gender parity, and strengthening the ministry’s ability to provide effective student services are also features of the new building.
President Boakai noted that these developments are in line with the government’s reform strategy, which aims to improve education. He cited an African proverb that emphasizes the need of restoring access to high-quality education for all children: “Education is the key that unlocks the golden door.”
President Boakai also reaffirmed the significant impact that well-equipped classrooms may have on students’ performance, summarizing Liberia’s educational goal as one that prepares its young people for a prosperous, just future.
With sincere gratitude to the World Bank and other donors, the Liberian leader emphasized the government’s dedication to creating a strong education system that strengthens communities and builds a bright future for the country. “This support will have a positive impact on the lives of countless young people. The administration is certain that every student should receive the greatest education possible,” President Boakai continued, with the goal of cultivating in them a sense of pride and aspiration.
As one of Liberia’s newest, cutting-edge model secondary schools in Gbarnga. The school cost about $1.6 million according to Education Minister Jarso Jallah, and is a part of a larger project to change Liberia’s educational system. 15 classrooms, a technical vocational area for TVET programs, gender-sensitive inclusions, and accessible support for people with disabilities are just a few of the modern features that Minister Jallah described.
The education minister said that there are scientific and digital labs, a library, solar electricity, running water, and a range of sports facilities, such as a football field, basketball and volleyball courts. Minister Jallah pointed out that each school is built to house up to 1,000 students, which successfully addresses overcrowding and greatly improves the learning environment.
Dr. Jallah attributed the achievement to the hard work of the Ministry of Education and President Boakai’s administration, as well as financial support from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) facility.
Minister Jallah admitted the challenges when she accepted the position, claiming that inefficiencies contributed to the delay of several public projects. She identified issues, such as poor performance and late contractor payments, caused contract termination and re-award.
“It is clear that the goal is to provide inclusive schools where children from all backgrounds can succeed. It is about the people of Liberia and not merely politics, reaffirming the necessity of merit-based educational opportunities. To guarantee access and equity for all, special attention will be paid to prioritizing students from underprivileged communities,” Minister Jallah stated.
Georgia Wallen, the Country Representative for the World Bank, said the commissioning was an opportunity to think about what makes schools unique and why her institution supports educational investments. “Soon, the environment will be brimming with young energy, enthusiasm, commotion, laughing, ideas, problem-solving, and most importantly, learning. It’s an environment that will challenge young brains and develop young lives,” she said.
Madam Wallen added that the school was put into operation a year before the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that the USD $47 million investment had the straightforward but ambitious goal of enhancing secondary education’s equality and equitable access as well as offering a response to COVID-19 when the pandemic started.
She added that it sought to improve teaching quality, create and distribute the first high schools built in Liberia, recruit, train, and deploy female guidance counselors in all senior secondary schools, and improve the conditions of all public and community high schools in the country’s more than 150 high schools.
Several government representatives attended the occasion, including ministers, directors, students, local county authorities, and a wide range of regular individuals.
