U.S. Ambassador Mark Toner and Liberia’s Minister of Education Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah have launched a US$75 million initiative to boost English literacy skills for Grades I-6.
On November 19, 2024, the both parties officially launched the five-year, $75 million Liberia Foundational Skills Activity (LFSA) intended to strengthen foundational literacy skills for students in Grades I-6, helping to secure Liberia’s future through education.
Led by Chemonics International, LFSA will be implemented by a consortium of local and international partners including the Diversified Educators Empowerment Project (DEEP), Kid’s Educational Engagement Project (KEEP), WE-CARE, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAVWE) Liberia, Foundation for Research, Education, and Empowerment (FREE) Liberia, Mathematica, and One World Network of Schools (OWNOS). Together, this coalition brings both local knowledge and global expertise to foster learning environments that support students’ success.
The Liberia Foundational Skills Activity aims to increase access to quality primary education and improve literacy levels in alignment with the Government of Liberia’s educational standards. Over five years, this initiative will reach approximately 70 percent of all public schools across six counties-Bong, Grand
Bassa, Lofa, Margibi, Montserrado, and Nimba-impacting 120,000 primary students.
The LFSA’s launch reinforces the shared commitment of the United States and Liberia to enhance educational opportunities for Liberia’s youth, creating pathways to lifelong learning and economic resilience.
