By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberian Ministry of Education (MOE) has officially launched its 2025 National School Census, a crucial initiative aimed at revolutionizing the country’s education sector through comprehensive, data-driven policies and planning. The announcement was made on Thursday, July 24, 2025, during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICAT).
Dr. Samuel Toe, Deputy Minister for Planning, Research, and Development at the MOE, highlighted that this nationwide census is the first comprehensive data collection effort in over three years. It’s not just a routine undertaking but a legal obligation mandated by Chapter 8 of the 2011 Education Reform Act. Dr. Toe emphasized that participation is mandatory for all public, private, and faith-based schools, warning that non-compliance could result in administrative sanctions.
“For the first time in more than three years, we are undertaking a national education census that is not just routine but a legal requirement,” said Deputy Minister Toe. “Every institution must participate to ensure we close the data gaps that have long hindered effective policy and reform efforts.”
Over 200 trained enumerators have been deployed across Liberia’s 16 educational regions to gather vital information. This includes data on student enrollment, academic performance, graduation and dropout rates, school fees, infrastructure status, and even cases of gender-based violence.
As of July 23, 2025, 30% of the targeted data has already been submitted. Counties showing significant progress include Grand Gedeh and Grand Kru (52% each), Bomi (51%), River Gee (44%), and Maryland and Gbarpolu (43%). However, some areas, particularly Montserrado Districts #1 and #2 (23% and 19%) and Grand Cape Mount (18%), are lagging due to logistical challenges and limited access to remote areas. Dr. Toe assured that the Ministry is making necessary adjustments, with increased use of digital tools significantly boosting reporting speed and accuracy.
For the first time, the 2025 census will include data from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. This expansion is made possible through key partnerships with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, UNICEF, and other development partners. Over 200 TVET institutions have been identified for data collection, and a mandatory training workshop for TVET administrators is scheduled for today, July 25, at G.W. Gibson High School in Monrovia, to ensure data consistency and accuracy.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the Ministry’s ongoing digital transformation. For the first time, school data is being uploaded in real time to a centralized server using donor-supported digital devices, including tablets and laptops. A modern dashboard interface allows the Ministry to instantly monitor submissions and validate data.
“These digital tools have greatly enhanced our ability to track, process, and respond to data in real time,” Dr. Toe stated, acknowledging that this development was supported by partners before USAID’s withdrawal from the education sector.
The Ministry aims to publish a full analytical report by August 31, 2025, aligning with the timeline agreed upon with Liberia’s development partners. Looking ahead, Dr. Toe unveiled plans to transition to a school-led digital reporting system, where all institutions will submit annual data through an online platform under a statutory framework, significantly reducing reliance on physical data collection.
Dr. Toe reiterated that any private or religious school that refuses to comply with the current census could face denial of operational permits and sector clearance in the future.
The Ministry extended its appreciation to both national and international partners, including UNICEF, the European Union, the World Bank, UNESCO, Save the Children, and The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), for their technical and financial support. Dr. Toe also praised the Education Management Information System (EMIS) Division for their critical leadership in the technical aspects of the census, calling their work vital to the future of Liberia’s education system.
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