Rebuilding Learning in Margibi County

Liberia remains one of the countries with the highest number of children out of school. An estimated 15–20% of children ages 6–14 are not attending school, and only about one-third of preschool-aged children have access to early childhood education programs.

Following the disruptions caused by COVID-19, the educational gaps widened—especially for children in vulnerable communities. In response, the Life Development Relief Organization (LIDRO) launched the “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” Post COVID-19 Primary Education Tutorial Program, designed to educate and feed 150 children in Margibi County.

 

Background

Liberia recorded its first COVID-19 case in March 2020. Schools were shut down nationwide, halting all in-person learning and forcing students to depend solely on home assignments.

For many children—especially those with cognitive challenges or learning impairments—this sudden shift created a deeper learning gap. Without teacher support, structured lessons, or tutoring, students struggled academically and emotionally throughout the lockdown.

 

About the Project

The “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” Education & Feeding Program was created to provide:

• Primary tutorial education
• Daily meals
• Support for early childhood learners
• A structured return-to-learning environment

The program ran for six weeks and focused on helping children catch up academically before the new school year began.

 

Problem Statement

Many school-age children returned to class with an academic void after months away from structured learning. Without guided study, many children forgot previously taught lessons, making it difficult to keep up with the curriculum.

Students needing extra attention faced the biggest challenges, including:

• Loss of foundational skills
• Difficulty retaining lessons
• Increased time spent on play over study during the lockdown
• Limited access to tutoring or educational support at home

The project was designed to address these barriers and prevent further learning loss.

 

Scope of the Project

The tutorial program took place in Mambah-Kaba, District One, Margibi County—a county located just an hour outside Monrovia.

County Statistics:

• Estimated population: 272,255
• Males: 137,267
• Females: 134,988

This region has a high number of vulnerable children who are at risk of falling far behind academically without intervention.

 

Project Beneficiaries

 

150 School-Age Children: Children from vulnerable communities benefited from:

 

•  Daily meals
• Access to classroom learning
• Basic literacy and numeracy reinforcement
• A safe and supportive learning environment

Employment for 9 Teachers: The project also created jobs for nine local teachers, supporting community livelihoods while strengthening the education system.