Liberia achieves near gender parity in school enrollment despite high dropout rates

Liberia has achieved near gender parity in school enrollment, with girls now accounting for approximately 50.3% of learners. However, significant challenges remain regarding student retention and completion.

Data indicates a high dropout rate among female students, with nearly 42% of primary-school-aged girls failing to complete sixth grade. The Ministry of Education identifies interconnected factors contributing to these departures, including poverty, early pregnancy, early marriage, domestic responsibilities, and unsafe school environments.

To address these gaps, the Ministry is shifting from an access-only focus to a comprehensive agenda covering retention, protection, and health. A central component of this strategy is the US$88.7 million Liberia EXCEL Project. Supported by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education, the initiative is implemented across all 15 counties and aims to improve foundational literacy and numeracy in 2,337 public primary schools, reaching approximately 350,000 learners.