By Amos Harris
The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Liberia Chapter has announced that 1,447 young people applied for educational opportunities under Phase II of the FAWE-Mastercard Foundation Program. From this applicant pool, 650 marginalized young women and men are expected to receive comprehensive bursary support.
The initiative aims to expand access to quality higher education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across Liberia, establishing clear pathways for university studies, vocational training, and practical skills development for disadvantaged youth.
FAWE Liberia reported that the recruitment drive attracted 816 applicants seeking university admission and 631 applicants applying for TVET programs, demonstrating strong demand for educational assistance nationwide.
In terms of demographic representation, 763 of the total applicants were female, 673 were male, and 11 did not disclose their gender. The recruitment exercise also registered 28 applicants with disabilities along with 111 individuals identified as refugees or internally displaced persons, highlighting the active participation of vulnerable communities.
Within the university category, 474 applicants were female, 339 were male, and three did not state their gender. This higher education pool included 15 persons with disabilities and 65 refugees or internally displaced persons.
Among tertiary institutions, Cuttington University recorded the highest interest with 249 applications, followed by Stella Maris Polytechnic University with 227. Grand Bassa University received 62 applications, Nimba University recorded 52, Lutheran University of Liberia (including Phebe-Esther Bacon College of Health Sciences) received 46, and William V.S. Tubman University attracted 20 applicants. Additionally, 12 university applicants were undecided regarding their institution, while 148 did not specify a preferred university.
The TVET category received 631 applications, comprising 289 females, 334 males, and eight individuals whose gender was not stated. This group included 13 persons with disabilities and 46 refugees or internally displaced persons.
Applications originated from multiple counties across Liberia. Montserrado County generated the largest share with 508 applications, followed by Bong County with 248 and Lofa County with 196. Grand Bassa County recorded 106 applicants, while Margibi and Nimba counties registered 88 and 85 applicants, respectively.
Additional applications were received from Maryland, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Sinoe, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Kru, and Rivercess counties. Five individuals submitted applications from outside Liberia, while 134 applicants did not list their county of origin or residence. No applications were recorded from River Gee County in the official summary.
FAWE Liberia noted that applicants underwent an initial eligibility screening. However, meeting the basic requirements did not guarantee automatic selection, as the number of qualified candidates exceeded the 650 available bursary slots.
Eligible files were subsequently submitted for review and validation by designated National Recruitment and Selection Committees. These panels included representatives from government ministries, academic institutions, youth groups, civil society organizations, and other partner bodies.
The committees evaluated applications against established criteria to align selection decisions with the program’s overall objectives. FAWE Liberia affirmed that the recruitment process was structured to uphold fairness, transparency, inclusion, integrity, and accountability, though the initial announcement did not include a final breakdown of the 650 selected beneficiaries by county or institution.
FAWE Liberia expressed appreciation to the various ministries, institutions, and community organizations that supported the selection process. Acknowledged partners included the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Commission on Higher Education, participating universities and TVET centers, youth coalitions, civil society organizations, the National Commission on Disability, the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Federation of Liberia Youth, the Youth Coalition for Education in Liberia, and the FAWE Liberia Board.
The organization also extended thanks to the Mastercard Foundation for its ongoing investment in youth education and FAWE Africa for supporting continental initiatives that promote education for girls and young women.
Addressing the candidates, FAWE Liberia congratulated the successful applicants, encouraging them to remain dedicated to their studies and recognize the broader community responsibilities that accompany their awards. The organization also advised unsuccessful applicants to remain hopeful, noting that not securing a slot in this cohort does not lessen their long-term potential.
The upcoming phase of the program will center on formal enrollment, orientation, and onboarding for the selected beneficiaries. FAWE Liberia concluded by calling on media organizations to provide accurate and timely information to the public as the educational pathways program moves forward.