Rep. Quioh Calls for Accountability and Performance in Liberia’s Education Funding

Monrovia – House Chair on Education, Representative Thomas Romeo Quioh, has called for stronger accountability and transparency in the management of education funding, stressing that money alone is not enough to transform the sector. Speaking at a policy symposium titled “Alternative Resource Mobilization to Fund Education in Liberia”, Quioh stressed the importance of tracking performance and ensuring that allocated resources have a measurable impact.

“We need accountability, and transparency is key. Yes, $109 million U.S. dollars, representing 14 percent of the budget, has been allocated to education. But what has been the level of impact we’ve seen so far?” Quioh asked. He acknowledged that while financial support for education has grown, the key issue is whether the funds are being used effectively to improve learning outcomes.

The legislator noted that although the government had made strides in increasing the budget for education, Liberia was still not meeting international commitments. “We’ve been aiming for 20 percent to meet our global obligations. Right now, we’re at 14.7 percent, which is progress, but it’s still short of where we need to be,” he added.

The symposium, organized by USAID, DAI, and the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), brought together key stakeholders to explore alternative ways of financing the education sector. Quioh stressed the need for civil society and local actors to play a stronger role in monitoring how funds are used.

“It’s not just about the money; it’s about our commitment and making sure the resources are used for the right purposes. We need to see performance reports, and if funds aren’t properly used, we won’t give new money. Otherwise, we’ll assume there’s a surplus,” Quioh warned.

One of the major challenges discussed was the issue of unqualified teachers and overcrowded classrooms. Quioh highlighted that many individuals enter the teaching profession out of necessity rather than passion, which affects the quality of education. “Some people are in search of employment, so they find themselves in the classroom. Are they trained? Are they committed to the services they’re rendering?” he questioned.

Quioh also pointed to the need for better support for teachers in rural areas, where conditions are often more challenging. He suggested that additional incentives should be provided to teachers working in those regions to ensure they remain motivated. “We need to make rural teaching posts more attractive. Teachers in rural areas should receive more benefits to retain them there,” he added.

In addition to calling for better oversight, Quioh emphasized that lawmakers would remain focused on their role as policymakers, keeping a watchful eye on how the education budget is managed. “We are not here to micro-manage, but we will keep macroscopic eyes on your activities,” he stated, warning that mismanagement of funds would not be tolerated.

He reiterated that Liberia’s education sector must not only receive adequate financial support but also demonstrate results. “The best any country can give its society is education. We must ensure that the resources we allocate make a difference,” he said, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to reforming the sector.