Educate and Feed 150 Children in a Post COVID-19 Primary Education Tutorial Program in Margibi County, Liberia

Liberia is among the countries with the highest number of children out of school, with approximately 15 to 20 percent of 6-14-year-olds not attending classes. Slightly more than a third of children of pre-school age participate in early childhood learning programs. The “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” project aimed to educate and feed 150 children through a Post COVID-19 Primary Education Tutorial Program in Margibi County, Liberia. The country recorded its first COVID-19 case in mid-March 2020, which profoundly affected the educational system. Schools were shut down immediately, leading to a halt in all social and public gatherings and forcing students to complete their studies through home assignments.

Lacking the opportunity for lesson drills and attention from their teachers, special care students with cognitive challenges and learning impairments faced significant difficulties. In response to the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming academic year’s announcement, the Life Development Relief Organization (LIDRO) launched the “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” Education and Feeding program. This initiative aimed to offer primary tutorial education to 150 early childhood students and was conducted over a six-week period.

Problem Statement

School-age children entering classrooms often possess an intellectual void that must be addressed. With the premature closure of schools due to COVID-19, students needing special attention face a steep uphill battle. Throughout the lockdown, many have devoted more time to play than to study, as self-study without a tutor proves challenging for most. The looming challenge is the potential forgetting of previously taught material, which may result in a significant delay in keeping pace with the curriculum when the new academic year begins.

Scope Statement

The project was carried out in Margibi, a county located on the North-Central Coast of Liberia, just an hour’s drive from the capital. It specifically took place in Mambah-Kaba, within District One. The county has an estimated population of 272,255, with 137,267 males and 134,988 females.

PROJECT BENEFICIARIES

1. 150 SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN MARGIBI COUNTY
2. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED FOR 9 TEACHERS

Please click on this link to view the project report.