Overview of the General Education System

The education system in Liberia has undergone significant evolution since its 19th-century origins, which initially served the settler population while largely overlooking indigenous communities. The challenges it faced, particularly due to the devastation caused by the civil wars from 1989 to 2003, severely disrupted learning and damaged infrastructure.

However, in the post-war period, the government, in collaboration with international organizations like UNESCO, has made concerted efforts to rebuild the education sector. These initiatives include the construction of new schools, curriculum reforms, and increased enrollment efforts, especially for girls and marginalized groups. Despite these advancements, access and quality in primary education remain inconsistent, particularly in rural areas. The Ministry of Education (MoE) leads these efforts, managing education policy and implementation at all levels.

The education system currently follows a 3 9 3–4 structure. The three years of Early Childhood Education (ECE), six years of lower basic education, three years of upper basic (junior secondary), three years of senior secondary or TVET, and four years of tertiary education.

English is the official language of instruction across public schools, used to promote national cohesion among Liberia’s diverse ethnic groups. However, resource shortages, including limited access to electricity and the internet, constrain access to educational materials and technology in most regions outside Monrovia.

School types include public, private, and faith-based institutions, with private and religious organizations playing an increasingly significant role in providing education. Efforts to rebuild the sector have focused on expanding infrastructure, increasing enrollment, and integrating vocational and technical education. Despite these efforts, Liberia’s education outcomes remain low.

As of 2020, the secondary school enrollment rate was only 37.81%, significantly below the global average of 92.49%. Liberia’s literacy rate stood at 48.3% in 2017, up from 42.94% in 2007, which shows slow but steady progress. The government continues to prioritize education as a cornerstone of national development and stability, while also strengthening oversight through agencies such as the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) for post-secondary quality assurance.

Liberia’s compulsory education policy mandates that all children begin formal schooling around age six and continue through basic education, which spans nine years. Six years of lower basic and three years of upper basic or junior secondary education. While education is legally compulsory at the primary level, enforcement is weak, and access remains uneven, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas.

Pre-primary or early childhood education (ECE) is not mandatory but is increasingly recognized as critical to lifelong learning. Despite this recognition, less than half of African children, including Liberians, access ECE programs, according to the 2021 Global Education Monitoring Report.

Children enter primary school at age six to complete Grades 1 to 6 by around age twelve. This stage is foundational for literacy, numeracy, and social development and is essential for preparing learners for more advanced education. Students then transition to junior secondary education (Grades 7–9), where they study a broad curriculum that includes mathematics, science, language, and civic education. Completion of Grade 9 marks the end of basic education.

Following this, students can choose between senior secondary education (Grades 10–12) or enroll in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs, depending on academic performance, interest, and available resources. Senior secondary schooling prepares students for tertiary education or employment and ends with standardized national examinations.

Although the government has made strides in expanding access and improving enrollment, challenges persist. These include teacher shortages, insufficient teaching materials, and poor infrastructure. Dropout rates are high, especially among girls, due to early marriage, pregnancy, and domestic responsibilities. Moreover, geographic disparities in access to education create inequities in quality and outcomes. The Ministry of Education continues to work with donors and NGOs to expand school access, improve teaching quality, and support school-to-work transitions.

Liberia’s higher education system comprises a mix of public, private, and faith-based institutions that offer academic and technical programs. It is governed and accredited by the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE), established in 1989.

As of 2024, there are 81 recognized higher education institutions, including 2 doctoral, 11 master’s, 36 bachelor’s, and 31 associate degree-granting institutions. These are located across 11 counties and classified into 13 public, 33 private, and 35 faith-based institutions.

Higher education follows a traditional progression: students typically complete four-year bachelor’s programs, followed by two-year master’s degrees and three-year doctoral programs, depending on the field and institution. Entry into tertiary institutions generally requires a high school diploma and a passing score on university entrance exams.

The sector’s core institutions include the University of Liberia (founded in 1863), Cuttington University, and Harper Technical College. The Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia remains the country’s only law school. Despite expansion, the sector still faces issues related to quality assurance, inadequate faculty, and limited research output. Institutions like Cuttington have introduced programs in public health and business administration to meet labor market demands, while the NCHE works to standardize and improve academic offerings nationwide.