President Joseph Boakai on Monday launched the Excellence in Learning in Liberia (EXCEL) Project, a nationwide education initiative the government says will directly benefit more than 350,000 primary level students and strengthen teaching and school leadership across the country.
Speaking at Monrovia City Hall, President Boakai described EXCEL as “more than the unveiling of a program” and framed the initiative as a long-term investment in Liberia’s human capital. “Every Liberian child, no matter where that child is born or raised, deserves quality education and a real opportunity to succeed,” he said.
The EXCEL Project targets four main areas:
- improving equitable access to primary education through construction of 100 climate resilient schools.
- a school capitation grant program for renovation, rehabilitation and performance-based grants to incentivize merit and excellence.
- a school-based violence prevention program; and
- system strengthening to deliver foundational learning via timely, quality Annual School Censuses and National Primary Learning Assessments.
Government officials said the project will also provide enhanced training and support to more than 15,000 teachers and equip school leaders across all 15 counties and every political district to better manage schools. President Boakai said the initiative will make schools “safer, stronger, and more resilient.”
President Boakai urged shared ownership of the project, calling on educators, parents, community leaders and development partners to take an active role in implementation. He also appealed to the Legislature to swiftly ratify the financing package for the program so implementation can proceed without delay.
