MONROVIA, Montserrado – The Ministry of Education has applauded the Global Partnership for Education for approving a grant of US$11.9 million to support its education reform program.

According to the press statement, the funds will be used to improve access to quality education in targeted disadvantaged counties and to strengthen national school accountability systems.

The ministry’s press statement did not name the targeted disadvantaged counties in which the funds will be used. However, it noted that specific beneficiaries of the program would include an approximately 40,000 early childhood education students in targeted disadvantaged counties.

Also, it mentioned that 60 community caregivers would benefit from community early childhood education training and support, in addition to 1,400 teachers who will benefit from training to improve their effectiveness to teach.

Last but not least, it mentioned 1,500 principals who will benefit from principal certification training under the project and 98 district education officers who will also benefit from capacity building activities under the project.

The ministry’s press statement notes that the approval of the grant serves as a vote of confidence in the “Getting to Best” Education Sector Plan, which is the ministry’s cornerstone education reform policy.

The Global Partnership for Education announced the approval of the grant in a letter, the ministry said, adding that the funding partner noted that it appreciates the coherent program with a central focus on quality.

“We are grateful for the support of the Global Partnership for Education as we will work towards our goal of providing quality education for all Liberian children,” George K. Werner, the minister of education, said. “We are getting to best, and we can’t turn back now.”

The press statement concludes that the Global Partnership for Education grant will be committed over a four-year implementation period beginning no later than March 25, 2018.

Featured photo courtesy of the Ministry of Education