Decoding barriers and failures in Liberia’s educational policy implementation

While educational policy research in Africa in general and Liberia in particular has seemingly concentrated on policy challenges and remedies, this paper explores policy barriers and failures. From a policy analysis perspective, it attempts to explain what has deterred Liberia’s education policies from the effective realisation of equitable access to quality and relevant education, and lifelong learning as policy objectives that underpin the country’s educational system. To analyse the educational policy barriers and failures, 25 policy documents were reviewed, 125 respondents surveyed using a questionnaire, and 10 key informants interviewed. Findings showed that the country faces social, economic, political, institutional, environmental, and learning and innovation barriers. It also demonstrated that the policy failures include inequitable access to education, low academic achievement, early leaving, low staff capacity, inappropriate skills development, weak parental participation, fewer lifelong learning opportunities, and over centralised governance. The researchers recommend that the Liberian government increases investment in education and leverages on technology to promote greater equitable access to quality and relevant education and lifelong learning.