The Government of Liberia has commenced the distribution of an estimated US$1 million worth of science laboratory equipment to schools across the country, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen science education and improve learning outcomes in public schools.
Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, said the equipment is intended to establish and upgrade science laboratories at various public high schools, providing students with improved opportunities for practical learning in science-related subjects.
The Minister said the initiative is consistent with the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s broader efforts to improve the quality and accessibility of education across Liberia. Dr. Jallah made the disclosure Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia.
She also highlighted the Government’s Free Primary School Registration Policy, describing it as a practical measure aimed at increasing enrollment, attendance and retention from kindergarten through Grade Six.
According to the Minister, parents are no longer required to pay registration fees to enroll their children in public primary schools. “Our message to parents is simple: registration is free. Take your child to school, and if anyone asks you to pay, tell us or engage your County Education Office,” Dr. Jallah said.
She explained that the policy is being enforced under Liberia’s existing education framework and is intended to remove financial barriers that may prevent children from accessing basic education.
The Minister also announced plans to place 1,000 additional teachers on the Government’s payroll to help public schools accommodate increased enrollment resulting from the free registration policy. Dr. Jallah further discussed the Digitized School Operational Permit System, which was launched in November 2025 to replace the Ministry’s previous paper-based permitting process.
She said the digital platform allows school owners to apply for and renew operational permits online through a more transparent, traceable and efficient process. According to Dr. Jallah, the system provides the Ministry with real-time, evidence-based information on schools authorized to operate and strengthens oversight of the education sector.
She emphasized that schools must obtain valid operational permits before opening their doors to students. The Minister disclosed that recent geo-mapping and school-quality assessments conducted in Sinoe, Rivercess, Montserrado, Bomi and Gbarpolu Counties identified a number of schools operating without valid permits.
She said the geo-mapping exercise will be extended to the remaining counties to strengthen national oversight and ensure compliance with established education standards.
Dr. Jallah warned that schools found operating without the required authorization could face closure, while stressing that the Government’s objective is to protect students, teachers and staff from unsafe or unregulated learning environments.
“This is about protecting students, staff and teachers from unsafe or unregulated learning environments — not about targeting legitimate school owners who are engaging the process in good faith,” the education minister said.
The Education Ministry says the laboratory equipment distribution, free primary school registration policy, recruitment of additional teachers and digitization of school permits form part of broader efforts to strengthen Liberia’s education system and improve access, quality, accountability and learning conditions nationwide.
