19/08/2025
All focus on WE-CARE Foundation Overage intervention Program .
Liberia's education system faces significant challenges, particularly with overage learners. About 92% of primary school children are too old for their grade, with 71% of students in underserved communities being three years older than the appropriate age. This issue stems from various factors, including¹ ²:
- *Late Enrollment*: Parents often delay enrolling children in school due to financial constraints or concerns about safety, especially for girls traveling long distances.
- *Poverty and Costs*: Early childhood education is not fee-free, and costs associated with uniforms, school supplies, and transportation can be prohibitive.
- *Civil War Legacy*: The conflict disrupted education, leading to overage enrollment and other challenges that still affect the system today.
To address this issue, the Liberian government has launched initiatives like the Education Sector Plan (2022-2027), which aims to³:
- *Enforce Age-Appropriate Enrollment*: Ensure children start school at the right age.
- *Invest in Public Early Childhood Education*: Make ECE more accessible and affordable.
- *Reduce Grade Repetition*: Implement policies to minimize repetition and promote smooth progression.
- *Accelerated Learning Programs*: Provide targeted support for overage learners, like the Girls' Accelerated Learning Initiative (GALI), which offers small-group tutoring and life skills training.
These efforts aim to improve learning outcomes, increase access to quality education, and reduce disparities. However, more work is needed to address the root causes of overage enrollment and ensure all Liberian children can access quality education at the right age.⁴
