MONROVIA — Veteran educator and clergyman, Rev. Alphonso B. Korleh, has issued a grave warning about the state of Liberia’s education system, cautioning that the country could face irreversible damage within five years if urgent reforms are not implemented.
In an exclusive interview on Monday, September 1, 2025, Rev. Korleh described the current education landscape as “alarming,” citing widespread underperformance among students and systemic failures at every level.
“Many of our high school students are functioning at elementary levels,” he lamented. “While a few are excelling, the majority are falling behind, and their struggles are overshadowing the progress of the few.”
Rev. Korleh, who holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and has over two decades of experience in Liberia’s education sector, said his work as an educator is not merely a profession but a calling inspired by the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ.
“Teaching is my calling because Jesus was a teacher,” he said. “I’ve dedicated the past 20 years to delivering quality education — not as a job, but as a mission to give back to my country.”
“We Are Behind Everybody That’s Behind”
When asked to assess the state of Liberia’s education system, Rev. Korleh delivered a stinging indictment:
“Liberia is behind a very long queue. We are behind everybody that’s behind. If we don’t address this crisis in the next five years, the situation will become terrible.”
He cited poor learning facilities, unqualified teachers, outdated curricula, and incompetent school administrators as among the major challenges crippling progress in the sector.
“There is a huge gap in our education system, and everyone — from the government to school authorities to parents — must take responsibility,” he emphasized.
Lip Service and Lack of Accountability
Rev. Korleh accused education authorities of offering “lip service” while failing to tackle the deep-rooted problems undermining the sector.
“Our leaders are not being real about solving these issues. We can’t keep pretending things are okay. We must address the root causes — not just the symptoms.”
He also stressed the need for stronger oversight and accountability within the Ministry of Education, recommending the creation of a functional complaints department to address policy failures and systemic errors.
“When the education system makes a mistake, we’re not just failing policies — we’re damaging destinies,” he said.
A Call to Action
Rev. Korleh’s comments come amid growing national concerns about the quality of education in Liberia. The country continues to struggle with poor performance in national exams, low literacy rates, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to learning resources, especially in rural areas.
Despite repeated promises by successive governments to reform the education sector, challenges persist — including the lingering effects of Liberia’s post-war recovery, the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption, and chronic underfunding.
Korleh’s warning is a clarion call to policymakers, educators, parents, and the broader community to act decisively. “We owe it to our children to do better,” he concluded. “If we fail them now, we fail Liberia’s future.”
