The EQUAL Program aims to enhance learning outcomes for children by offering technical, resource, and capacity building support to district- and county-level education offices. The project expands on the previous work of Concern Worldwide and the Liberia Bible Translation and Literacy Organization (LIBTRALO) in Grand Bassa County. Community and school governance structures will be actively engaged in prioritizing the education of their children in a safe learning environment and increasing school attendance and retention rates. 

Current Activities

• Provide teachers with tools to effectively apply literacy and numeracy teaching skills and use mother tongue curricula.
• Strengthen the capacity of school administrators to effectively manage their schools.
• Strengthen the capacity of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) to effectively support their schools.
• Implement child and family literacy interventions designed to improve literacy curriculum, and increase literacy among children in grades 1-3 and parents/caregivers.
• In conjunction with the Ministry of Gender and Development’s referral pathway for cases of sexual abuse and exploitation, Address gender based violence in schools by engaging male and female PTA role models and establishing Pupil Leadership Groups.
• Pilot “Safe Schools” initiatives such as Community of Practice Conversations (where community members discuss ways to make schools safer for learning), and establish safe spaces for peer engagement in schools.

Planned Outcomes

• District, County, and National structures promote enrollment and improve children’s learning outcomes.
• Establish safe and child friendly school environments in target schools.
• Improve learning outcomes in early grade literacy and numeracy in targeted schools.