By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia – National dialogue this week centered on the pace and impact of Liberia’s education and healthcare reforms, revealing a stark divide between government assurances of progress and growing public demand for tangible results.
The debate unfolded as officials outlined ongoing efforts under the Agenda for Inclusive Development (ARID), while advocates and citizens questioned whether systemic issues—from crumbling school infrastructure to soaring maternal mortality rates—are being meaningfully addressed.
Nuwoe Kellen, a senior education official, reaffirmed that education remains a cornerstone of the administration’s development plan. “The University of Liberia must be upgraded across all dimensions, and K–12 education needs significant improvement,” he stated. “I am encouraged that education has remained a priority through the first, second, and now third year of this leadership.”
Kellen emphasized that investments in early childhood and primary education are critical for long-term growth, and disclosed that the Ministry of Education is prioritizing school rehabilitation and teacher capacity-building through its current strategic plan. He also noted that the Legislature is working to gradually integrate volunteer teachers into the government payroll.
However, Kellen acknowledged that education reform cannot advance in isolation. “We must improve maternal health, newborn survival, and reduce child deaths,” he said, revealing that the government is actively seeking international partnerships, including with the U.S., to strengthen Liberia’s healthcare system. “Education and health are parallel drivers of development—one cannot advance without the other.”
Despite these commitments, prominent human rights lawyer Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe offered a sharp critique, describing current reforms as insufficient and calling out persistent corruption in schools. “Graduation fees are corruption,” Gongloe asserted. “School administrators collect money from families without improving learning conditions. Many schools lack water, basic facilities, and trained teachers.”
He urged the administration to take decisive action against exploitative practices and to reorient education toward technical and vocational training. “When you talk about bringing in machines, who will operate them? That is education. Without skilled technicians, development will remain an illusion.”
The conversation also touched on cultural and human rights concerns. Hon. Moima Briggs Mensah, while expressing confidence in the President’s leadership, noted her intention to raise issues related to harmful traditional practices and the protection of vulnerable groups in direct engagement with the executive.
Amid these exchanges, a common thread emerged: the recognition that development cannot be the sole responsibility of the government. “Whether you live in River Gee, Grand Kru, or Montserrado, every Liberian has a role to play,” Kellen emphasized, calling for public cooperation in maintaining peace and supporting national efforts.
As Liberia navigates economic strain and public sector reform, many citizens say they are watching closely—not for more promises, but for visible, concrete changes that improve daily life. The national debate now hinges on whether current reforms will translate into real classrooms, functioning clinics, and measurable relief for ordinary Liberians.
