…World Bank Report Shows
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
A recent World Bank report has shown that only 34% of women in Liberia are educated. This was recently referenced by Georgia Wallen, World Bank Country Manager, on May 25, 2024, at the just ended Liberia Cabinet Retreat – Engagement with Development Partners.
As it has been visibly seen, she acknowledges that women face more challenges the men in Liberia. “Women face more constraints than men in human capital accumulation, which is reflected in the literacy rate (34% for women versus 63% for men), the HIV prevalence (1% versus 0.6%), and other indicators” the World Bank reported. The report continued by describing Liberia education system as a “Silent Crasis” stating that 40 percent of students who start first grade drop out of school before completing primary education.
“Liberia education, a silent Crasis. Expected years of schooling: 4.4, Learning-adjusted years of schooling: 2.3 (the lowest in the world). 15-20 percent of children aged 6 to 14 were not enrolled in basic education. 40 percent of students who start first grade drop out of school before completing primary education.” It adds that that 14%o of Liberians present disabilities, and are more likely to experience low human capital outcomes.
Liberia’s Human Capital Index (HCI) is 0.32 and that a child born in Liberia today is expected to be only 32 percent as productive when they grow up as they could be if they enjoyed complete education and full health.
The World Bank report postulated that Liberia’s GDP per capita could be almost 3.1 times higher if the country reached the benchmarks of education and health.This is equivalent to 2.3 percentage points of extra annual growth over the next 50 years.
The report continued by adding that between 2015-2019, 9 in every 100 children died before the age of 5. 40 percent of these deaths were in the first month of life (neonatalperiod). It states that Malaria continues to be a major cause of mortality and in 22 in every 100 15 year-olds will not Survive to the age of 60.
It further provides that the challenges go beyond the typical human development sectors and less than 10 percent of Liberians have access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services. Georgia Wallen, World Bank Country Manager when concluding, added that one point of convergence is already very clear for all to agree on the urgency of the moment,.
She stated that with no time to waste in the six years to 2030. Liberians should consider the report as a defining moment for Liberia, and be committed to making the most of it.
