In a bold move signaling the administration’s strengthened commitment to public education, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has announced a 60 percent increase in the 2026 draft budget for the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS).
Minister Ngafuan made the announcement on Friday at the 9th Graduation Exercises of Boatswain Junior & Senior High School, where he delivered a keynote address highlighting the government’s determination to overhaul infrastructure and improve conditions for both students and teachers. He disclosed that a significant portion of the increase, U$2 million, is earmarked specifically for renovation and refurbishment of aging MCSS facilities.
Additionally, funds have been allotted to formalize volunteer teachers into the MCSS workforce, a long-awaited step toward strengthening instructional capacity. The Minister assured graduates, educators, and parents that the expanded budget will be managed with strict accountability measures.
He said, will collaborate closely with MCSS leadership to enforce “value for money” and ensure “integrity in the construction process.” The minister emphasized that the rise in funding is part of a consistent trajectory of progress for the education sector.
“This year is better than last year. Next year will be better than this year, and the year after will be better than next year. We will not reverse. We are on the path of progress,” Ngafuan narrated. Liberia’s Finance Minister framed the government’s education investment as a reflection of its broader national development vision.
“This country deserves development. From what I see, and from the sweat we are sweating, Liberia is moving forward,” he added, His announcement drew applause from MCSS administrators and community members in attendance. Boatswain Senior High School Principal, Mr. Deeds G. Peabody, welcomed the news, describing it as a timely boost for a system that has long struggled with limited resources. The ceremony concluded with jubilation as the Class of 2025 celebrated their achievements, uplifted by the promise of renewed support and brighter educational prospects for the generations to come.
