By Vaye Lepolu
The Education CSO Coalition on budget advocacy has acknowledged the 14.8% increase in the education sector budget for FY 2024 approved by the Legislature on May 9, 2024. However, the coalition is urging for a further increase of 20% in the national budget to truly enhance the development of the education sector.
Semen L. Wee, Spokesperson for the education CSO Coalition on budget advocacy and Uwomen Project officer, emphasized the importance of allocating at least 20% of the national budget to education. She highlighted the need for the Liberian government to prioritize educational support and invest in monitoring mechanisms to ensure progress and accountability.
Wee stressed that an effective monitoring mechanism would help combat corruption, improve accountability, and enhance learning outcomes in public schools. The CSOs believe that with the 20% increment, Liberia can create an environment conducive to educational excellence and empower its citizens to succeed in the global knowledge economy.
The Civil Society Education Coalition, in collaboration with various organizations such as UMOVEMENT, IDAD, REDD, DEN-L, IWL, SAIL, IPER, and YOCEL, is dedicated to improving the education system in Liberia. Wee noted that challenges such as lack of teaching materials, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient budgetary support for teachers must be addressed urgently.
She emphasized the constitutional mandate for equal access to education for all citizens and called for concrete steps to address the educational needs of the country. The coalition believes that increasing the national education budget is crucial to overcoming barriers to quality education and driving reform and development in Liberia’s educational sector.
The group is urging the Legislature to continue the positive trend by allocating an additional 5.2% increase in the FY 2025 National Budget to reach the targeted 20% allocation for the education sector. Wee highlighted the importance of meeting international standards set by the Global Partnership for Education and aligning with global best practices observed in neighboring countries.
Wee emphasized that compliance with international benchmarks is essential for providing quality education to all citizens and ensuring Liberia’s commitment to societal transformation through education.
