The abrupt termination of U.S. aid to Liberia has left thousands of aspiring teachers in limbo, with many struggling to complete their education. The move, part of sweeping cuts ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump, has halted funding for a $20 million USAID-backed teacher training program, affecting students across multiple universities.
Among those impacted is Ezekiel Nwornee, a final-year primary education student at Grand Bassa University. With just $288 standing between him and his associate degree, the 34-year-old now faces an uncertain future.
“The economic situation in Liberia is tough, and when the program came, I was so happy,” he said. “Now, I don’t know how I’ll pay my graduation fees. It would break my heart to miss my graduation.”
A Blow to Liberia’s Education Sector
Since the end of Liberia’s civil wars in 2003, the U.S. has been the country’s second-largest donor after the World Bank, investing millions in education. In 2024 alone, USAID allocated over $20 million—nearly a quarter of Liberia’s education budget. However, critics have long questioned the effectiveness of these investments, pointing to poor educational outcomes despite significant funding.
A 2021 evaluation of the $28 million Read Liberia project found that “teachers’ uptake of the program in classroom instruction is poor,” suggesting that gains in literacy levels stemmed from factors outside the classroom rather than improved teaching methods.
Liberia’s education sector remains in crisis. More than 6,000 teachers currently work as volunteers, earning as little as $20 a month. Only one in four has formal teacher training, and in some areas, a single teacher is responsible for 90 students.
Minister of Education Jarso Maley Jallah has prioritized moving trained teachers onto the government payroll to strengthen the profession. However, without funding, that goal is now in jeopardy.
Scholarship Program Halted
The now-defunct USAID-funded TESTS program aimed to provide tertiary education for 3,500 volunteer teachers by 2026. Its cancellation has left students from eight institutions—including the University of Liberia, Cuttington University, and Grand Bassa University—without the financial means to continue their studies.
At Grand Bassa University, nearly 140 students have been forced to halt their studies. A project leader, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on discussing the issue, described the situation as “devastating for Liberia’s future.”
Dominic Bah, Acting Dean of the College of Education at Grand Bassa University, agreed: “Without USAID, we will lose the opportunity to train the next generation of educators.”
Students Struggle to Continue
Emmanuel Moore, a student at Cuttington Junior College, is now searching for ways to cover his $463 per semester tuition.
“I don’t know where to start,” he said. “We relied on USAID, and now we don’t know how to continue our education.”
Shirley Michaels, a 32-year-old single mother, highlighted the program’s impact on inclusive education.
“USAID taught us how to manage classrooms effectively and support students with disabilities,” she said. “Now, without that training, many teachers will lack the skills to help students with special needs.”
No Clear Response from the Government
Liberia’s Ministry of Education has yet to announce any measures to address the funding gap. Meanwhile, the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) has expressed solidarity with affected students but confirmed it has no funds to assist them.
Faced with uncertainty, students have turned to social media, pleading for donations to help them graduate and contribute to Liberia’s struggling education sector.
This report was produced in collaboration with New Narratives as part of the Investigating Liberia Project, with funding from the Swedish Embassy in Liberia.
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