By Sir-George S Tengbeh
The unemployment rate in Liberia remains stubbornly high, with youth unemployment a particularly acute problem. As one parent noted, ‘My children had to leave private school because we simply don’t have the money anymore. Public school is the only way they can continue learning’ (Daily Observer, 2024).
According to a recent report by the World Bank, Liberia’s economy grew by only 3.6% in 2023, which is insufficient to create the necessary jobs for the country’s young and growing population (World Bank, 2023). Liberia is grappling with severe economic challenges that have left many families struggling to maintain their children’s education in private schools.
The biting economic conditions, marked by rising unemployment and declining business profits, are forcing parents to shift their children to public schools in large numbers. “Public schools are overcrowded, with teacher-to-student ratios often exceeding 1:50, contributing to declining educational standards’’ (UNESCO, December 2023).
This shift is not merely a personal preference but a consequence of the country’s worsening economic conditions. I conducted a recent survey that supports claims that nearly 60% of Liberian youths and school-going children have not yet registered for the ongoing academic year due to the financial hardships their families are facing.
This statistic is alarming and highlights the deepening crisis facing the nation’s education system. The shift from private to public education is a growing trend, reflecting the broader economic instability and social challenges that continue to plague the country.
Economic Instability and Its Effects on Education
Liberia’s economy has faced ongoing instability, worsened by low business profit margins and the inability of many to find sustainable employment.
For poor parents and street vendors, who rely on daily income, the situation is particularly dire. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, causing massive job losses and contributing to the overall economic decline (World Bank, 2022).
Today, even small businesses are struggling to remain profitable, and parents who once managed to send their children to private schools now find themselves with no option but to embrace the public school system.
In a series of interviews conducted in areas such as Waterside and GSA Road in Paynesville, parents and street vendors alike voiced their frustrations with the current situation. “I used to have a small shop, and I was able to send my children to a decent private school. Now, I can barely sell enough to feed my family. Public school is the only option left,” lamented one vendor from Paynesville (Street Vendor, 2024).
This shift from private to public schools highlights a fundamental issue: as Liberia’s economy continues to flounder, families are left with fewer choices, which compromises the quality of education available to their children. Public schools in Liberia are often overcrowded, under-resourced, and ill-prepared to accommodate the influx of students who are being forced out of private schools due to financial difficulties.
The Unemployment Crisis
Unemployment is one of the primary drivers of this educational shift. Liberia’s unemployment rate remains high, with many young people and adults alike unable to find stable jobs. This has created a cycle of poverty that limits access to education, as parents can no longer afford the tuition fees required by private schools.
The World Bank’s 2022 Liberia Economic Update underscored the fact that although some sectors, such as mining, have shown signs of growth, overall job creation has been inadequate to meet the country’s needs (World Bank, 2022/09/27).
One Monrovia-based parent shared her struggles: “I’ve been looking for work for months now, and I can’t find anything. My children had to leave private school because we simply didn’t have the money anymore. Public school is the only way they can continue learning” (Street Vendor, 2024).
This widespread unemployment also affects Liberia’s youth, many of whom are now out of school because their families cannot afford even the minimal fees associated with public schooling. Moreover, the lack of jobs means that many families have little to no income, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
Education as a Casualty of Economic Hardship
The consequences of Liberia’s economic challenges extend beyond the immediate financial concerns of parents. The quality of education that children receive in public schools is another significant issue.
Public schools are often overcrowded, with classrooms holding far more students than teachers can effectively manage. This overburdened system struggles to provide adequate resources, training, and support to both students and educators, leading to a significant decline in educational outcomes.
One mother, who sells goods at the Waterside market, expressed her disappointment: “I didn’t want to send my children to public school because the classes are too big, and the teachers can’t give them the attention they need. But I don’t have a choice anymore” (Street Vendor, 2024).
This sentiment is shared by many parents who, despite their reservations about the public school system, are left with no other viable options.
What could be the Solutions to Liberia’s Economic Woes?
To address these pressing issues, Liberia needs a robust and multi-faceted approach that tackles the root causes of the country’s economic and educational challenges. One possible solution is to focus on job creation within the private sector.
By saying this, I support the arguments raised by some socioeconomic and political analysts that creating more employment opportunities, particularly for young people and low-income families in Liberia could alleviate some of the economic pressures that are forcing families to abandon private education.
Furthermore, there must be a concerted effort to improve the quality of public education. This includes reducing classroom sizes, providing teachers with better resources and training, and ensuring that schools are adequately funded to handle the growing number of students.
The government must also work to strengthen its partnerships with international organizations and private companies, which could help finance improvements in both education and the broader economy (Angacee OA, Dualu, 2024).
Liberia is rich in natural and human resources, but these assets must be managed effectively. As noted by a Monrovia-based economist, “If Liberia’s leaders prioritize transparency and accountability in governance, particularly in managing its resources, we could see real change”. The government must take decisive action to ensure that Liberia’s wealth benefits its citizens, rather than lining the pockets of a select few.
The economic hardship faced by Liberia is not a new phenomenon, but it has worsened in recent years, and its impact on the country’s education system is becoming increasingly apparent. The shift from private to public schooling is just one symptom of a much larger problem.
Unless Liberia can address the issues of unemployment, low business profits, and poor governance, the future of its children and the nation will remain uncertain.
The way forward lies in job creation, improved public education, and better resource management, all of which will require the sincerity and honesty of Liberia’s leaders to achieve lasting change.
About the author:
Sir-George S Tengbeh is a Researcher and expert on public sector management, Labour Economics & Policy, Governance, and Water Resource Management. He is the founder of the Liberia Labour and Governance Alliance (LILGA), a non-political CSO mainstreaming bad labor practices and advocatin
