-Stakeholders dialogue on effective methods to keep girls in school
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia — A high-level stakeholder meeting focused on the implementation of the National Policy on Girl’s Education has been successfully concluded by Educate Her in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and GIZ. This two-day dialogue aimed to emphasize the significance of the policy to national leaders while strategizing on effective methods to keep girls in school. The meeting brought together a diverse group of participants, including Ministers, District Education Officers, Teachers, Advocates, and Civil Society Actors.
Organized through the Educate HER project, the event was designed and managed by the Educate HER Coalition, which is led by HOPE and PAYOWI. This initiative is part of the Education Out Loud program, funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) via Oxfam Denmark. The Educate HER project focuses on ensuring the effective execution of the National Policy on Girls’ Education.
At the beginning of the meeting, Madam Alfreda Nmah, Executive Director of HOPE, provided an overview of the event’s objectives, emphasizing the need for accessible, affordable, and quality education for girls. She highlighted that the National Policy on Girls’ Education offers a detailed roadmap for enhancing girls’ education in Liberia through targeted investments, policy reforms, and community engagement.
“The National Policy on Girls’ Education (NPGE) 2021/2026 aims to provide adequate access to affordable and quality education while promoting gender equity and equality through the educational system,” she explained. According to Madam Nmah, the project seeks to enhance the implementation and monitoring of the National Policy on Girls Education (NGE 2021 – 2026) and its three-year strategic plan.
The objectives of the project include fostering increased commitment from policymakers and key stakeholders to create a supportive environment for the implementation of the National Policy on Girls’ Education and enhancing monitoring and accountability among county and national stakeholders. However, Madam Nmah stressed the necessity for the government to prioritize girls’ education through increased budgetary allocations.
During the gathering, Education Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah emphasized the critical role of girls’ education in achieving sustainable development. He asserted that investing in girls’ education is essential for driving economic growth and fostering a society that values gender equity. Minister Jallah urged participants to translate their insights into actionable outcomes.
“Girls’ education is vital. As the saying goes, when you educate a girl child, you educate an entire nation,” she remarked. She further encouraged attendees to consider how they could implement the training received into practical applications, stating, “We must invest where we have an impact.”
Meanwhile, national and international partners commended the Educate Her Coalition for its efforts in promoting the policy for girls’ education. Organizations, including the World Bank, USAID, the Ministry of Gender, and the National Legislature, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the policy and the people of Liberia.
“On behalf of the joint committee, I would like to express our gratitude and assure you that this policy document will not gather dust. We will engage in discussions and take action,” stated Mr. Franklin B. Massaquoi Sr., Head of the Secretariat of the Joint Committee on Education at the National Legislature. “The World Bank is dedicated to supporting education in Liberia, and we reaffirm our commitment to the policy,” added Madam Binta Massaquoi, Education Specialist at the World Bank.
The Educate HER Coalition advocates for the implementation of policies that promote girls’ education in Liberia, leveraging strategic partnerships and advocacy initiatives to foster gender equity and equality in education. The coalition is supported by the Educate HER Consortium, which includes two women-led civil society organizations in Liberia: Helping Our People Excel (HOPE) and Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI). These organizations bring substantial experience in advocacy, education, policy development, and gender mainstreaming.
Educate Her Project Goal:
The goal of the Educate HER project is to facilitate the effective implementation of the National Policy on Girls Education 2021-2026 (NPGE), particularly focusing on addressing the key barriers to girls’ attendance, retention, and completion (GARC) in secondary schools. The meeting was held from November 5-6, 2024, at the Corina Hotel in Monrovia.
