Rising Academies' Liberian Managing Director, Precious Buxton, reflects on a landmark moment for Liberian Education

Last week represented a landmark moment for Liberian education.

New Minister, Hon. Dr Jarso Maley Jallah, has committed direct financial support for the Liberian Education Advancement Program (“LEAP” formerly “PSL”) in her 2024 Education Budget. This budget has now officially been signed into law by our President, His Excellency Joseph Boakai, Sr.

It is a hugely symbolic moment, and demonstrates not only the governments’ ongoing commitment to LEAP but also their commitment to building an education ecosystem where testing innovative solutions is encouraged and embraced.

Many initiatives come and go quickly in Liberia and most are never truly owned or designed by the government. That’s not the case with LEAP. Now 8 years old, it is an example to the world of how PPPs can be designed, tested, evaluated, reformed and improved continuously over time by government. It is also a shining example of education bipartisanship. Three separate administrations have been guided on LEAP by looking at its rigorous evidence of impact, and by spending time in school communities rather than being driven by politics. I can’t congratulate Minister Jallah enough for starting her tenure by touring the country to spend time in schools, hearing from students, parents and teachers. The message from her first country tour was clear: LEAP is not perfect, no project is, but it has a vital role to play as we move our education system forward.

Congratulations also to the philanthropic organisations that provided the capital to launch this groundbreaking innovation. LEAP has mobilised over USD$40m of philanthropic investment into the sector since its inception in 2016. This funding has been highly catalytic: creating rich evidence, stronger data systems, new technologies, improved outcomes, policy reforms and a vibrant education ecosystem that can now help drive system improvements forward. This early risk investment has paved the way for today’s government contribution, and I hope we now see the larger institutional players step up too so that we can truly leverage the learnings from the project. (LEAP Reflections and Learnings Report 2016-2024 available here.)

Congratulations to Hon. Dr Jarso Maley Jallah and her team for this historic moment. Congratulations also to former Minister Hon. Professor Dao Ansu Sonii, who helped guide LEAP to new heights, and to LEAP’s creator, Hon. George K. Werner, who had not only the vision, but the bravery to execute and deliver on this dream. You set in motion something very special. 

As a Liberian, I am incredibly proud to be leading a team in this groundbreaking partnership. It is the reason I left my career in New York City to come home to Liberia. I know the other leaders of LEAP’s four partners feel the same way. Shout out to Urias Brooks, Andrew Tehmeh and Hon. GG and their teams, and to everyone else who has worked so hard to embed LEAP at all levels of Liberia’s education ecosystem. Above all, I want to congratulate the three government administrations for what they have achieved. Time is showing that what you have built is special and can serve as an example for others around the world.

Having started working with just 5 schools in Year 1 of the program, Rising Academies now supports 95 schools within this partnership. Our team will not only continue to support these schools but will also do everything they can with our Ministry partners and the other LEAP providers to further strengthen the system and advance education across Liberia.

We are excited to continue on this journey with you.