By: Melvin Flomo
WhatsApp: 0778677647
The World Bank has approved a US$60 million credit through its International Development Association (IDA), along with a US$28.7 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), to fund the Excellence in Learning in Liberia (EXCEL) Project aimed at improving foundational learning and access in public primary schools across Liberia.
The EXCEL Project is the first initiative under the World Bank Group’s 2025–2030 Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Liberia, focusing on building a solid foundation for job creation and economic growth by strengthening education.
“This is the most far-reaching project ever financed by the World Bank in Liberia’s education sector,” said Georgia Wallen, World Bank Country Manager. “It supports the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and lays the building blocks for a resilient education system.”
Targeting 2,337 public primary schools in all 15 counties, the project will benefit over 350,000 students in the final year of Early Childhood Education (ECE) and all six grades of primary school, focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy through structured pedagogy. Additionally, a nationwide Foundational Learning Program (FLP) will be rolled out, including curriculum prioritization, learning material distribution, and classroom instruction reform.
Co-Task Team Leaders Namrata Raman Tognatta, Binta Beatrice Massaquoi, and Alonso Sanchez noted that the initiative will also improve school learning environments, promote gender-based violence awareness, enhance education data systems, and strengthen school supervision and community engagement.
Around 48% of direct beneficiaries are expected to be female. The project will also support capacity-building for 14,000 school management committee members and Ministry of Education staff at both central and county levels.
Lastly, about 12,000 teachers and principals will receive training on foundational learning, instructional leadership, mentoring, and school management helping to reinforce a sustainable and inclusive education system in Liberia.
About the Author
